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
Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter flight into Hurricane Milton Oct. 9, 2024
403rd Wing
Oct. 9, 2024 | 2:11
The 403rd Wing's 403rd Operations Group Commander Col. Elissa Granderson was the pilot for a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Oct. 9, 2024, mission to collect weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts.

She is responsible for all matters pertaining to the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Operations Group that includes 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, two operational weather flights, an operations support squadron, tactical airlift squadron, aeromedical evacuation squadron, and the Hurricane Hunters, the only weather reconnaissance squadron in the Department of Defense.

The 403rd Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command unit at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (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.