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
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Video by Senior Airman Halley Clark
First-person view of a hot pit refueling
122nd Fighter Wing
April 10, 2025 | 4:39
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Austin Bruce, 122nd Fighter Wing fuels service center noncommissioned officer in charge, conducts a hot pit refueling operation on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 1, 2025. The hot pit refueling was performed while the aircraft's engine remained running, minimizing ground time and enhancing operational readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Halley Clark)
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First-person view of a hot pit refueling
First-person view of a hot pit refueling
203ARS KC-135 Take Off, Talisman Sabre B-Roll
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3:49
203ARS KC-135 Take Off, Talisman Sabre B-Roll
Cope Thunder 25-2: U.S. and Philippine Air Force Airmen refuel FA-50 Golden Eagle
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2:12
Cope Thunder 25-2: U.S. and Philippine Air Force Airmen refuel FA-50 Golden Eagle
POTUS in Pittsburgh
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POTUS in Pittsburgh
The Boom Operator Experience
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1:42
The Boom Operator Experience
459ARW Refuels 4FW
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1:16
459ARW Refuels 4FW
B-Roll: MRF-D 25.3: U.S. Marines use TAGRS to refuel Australian helicopter for the first time
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1:19
B-Roll: MRF-D 25.3: U.S. Marines use TAGRS to refuel Australian helicopter for the first time
Operation Homecoming: B-Roll
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1:32
Operation Homecoming: B-Roll
Securing the Seas: 6th Security Forces Marine Patrol on Duty
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1:04
Securing the Seas: 6th Security Forces Marine Patrol on Duty
Day or Night, the 50th ARS refuels the fight
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1:19
Day or Night, the 50th ARS refuels the fight
NH Airmen complete combat lifesaver training in Germany
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4:28
NH Airmen complete combat lifesaver training in Germany
NH Airmen complete combat lifesaver training in Germany
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1:39
NH Airmen complete combat lifesaver training in Germany
91st ARS Completes Total Force F-16 Refuel
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1:52
91st ARS Completes Total Force F-16 Refuel
Air National Guard Engineers Build Roads, Skills During Assateague Island Project
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7:46
Air National Guard Engineers Build Roads, Skills During Assateague Island Project
161st LRS Multi-Capable Airman Training
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3:50
161st LRS Multi-Capable Airman Training
141st Civil Engineer Squadron support Seward Military Resort renovation
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1:03
141st Civil Engineer Squadron support Seward Military Resort renovation
Blacksnakes fuel up for training
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0:45
Blacksnakes fuel up for training
MacDill KC-135 refuels Charleston C-17s
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1:54
MacDill KC-135 refuels Charleston C-17s
Drone Maps What the Eye Can’t See on Pittsburgh Tankers
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3:38
Drone Maps What the Eye Can’t See on Pittsburgh Tankers
VMGR-352 and VMGR-234 supports VMFA-225 aerial refueling during Sentry North
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3:12
VMGR-352 and VMGR-234 supports VMFA-225 aerial refueling during Sentry North
Army helicopters stage at Andrews for 250th Army Birthday operations
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2:00
Army helicopters stage at Andrews for 250th Army Birthday operations
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
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3:46
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
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3:46
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
KC135 Stratotanker departs during Combat Readiness Exercise
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1:33
KC135 Stratotanker departs during Combat Readiness Exercise
155th ARW utilizes a mobile kitchen during Combat Readiness Exercise
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0:40
155th ARW utilizes a mobile kitchen during Combat Readiness Exercise
155th ARW perform assignments while in MOPP 4 during Combat Readiness Exercise
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2:05
155th ARW perform assignments while in MOPP 4 during Combat Readiness Exercise
155th ARW processes personnel during a Combat Readiness Exercise
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1:33
155th ARW processes personnel during a Combat Readiness Exercise
155th Air Refueling Wing conducts Combat Readiness Exercise
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3:04
155th Air Refueling Wing conducts Combat Readiness Exercise
155th Air Refueling Wing conducts Combat Readiness Exercise
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3:40
155th Air Refueling Wing conducts Combat Readiness Exercise
Operation Ground Defender
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3:01
Operation Ground Defender
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