DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

DEFENDER 25 Outreach tour
DEFENDER 25 Infographic

Videos
Video by Marnee Losurdo
Final Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter mission into Helene
403rd Wing
Sept. 27, 2024 | 1:37
The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters gathered weather data during a Sept. 26, 2024, mission into Hurricane Helene. Aircrews flew nine weather reconnaissance missions into Hurricane Helene Sept. 23-26, 2024, collecting data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, first investigated the storm Sept. 23, 2024 which over the course of the week intensified into a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Florida’s Big Bend Sept. 26, 2024. (U.S. Air Force video by Lt. Col. Mark Withee)
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Press Information

enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.