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
Playlist:
Video by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai
Interview: U.S. Air Force Col. Dennis Bird speaks on enhancing lethality, readiness with Morocco through air-to-air refueling operations at African Lion 2025
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
May 18, 2025 | 2:35
U.S. Air Force Col. Dennis Bird, director of operations, Joint Forces Headquarters, Ohio National Guard, highlights the importance of air-to-air refueling training with Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons during African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Marrakesh, Morocco, May 15, 2025. Bird speaks of the readiness and lethality built during the exercise, enhancing joint force capabilities when called upon for future operations. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai)
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Air Mobility Commandmultinational exercisein-flight refuelingAfricanLionStrongerTogetherjoint-service exercise
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Interview: U.S. Air Force Col. Dennis Bird speaks on enhancing lethality, readiness with Morocco through air-to-air refueling operations at African Lion 2025
Interview: U.S. Air Force Col. Dennis Bird speaks on enhancing lethality, readiness with Morocco through air-to-air refueling operations at African Lion 2025
Cope Thunder 25-2: U.S. and Philippine Air Force Airmen refuel FA-50 Golden Eagle
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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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The Boom Operator Experience
459ARW Refuels 4FW
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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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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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Operation Homecoming: B-Roll
Securing the Seas: 6th Security Forces Marine Patrol on Duty
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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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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
KC-135R Stratotanker Refuels A-10 Thunderbolt II in formation
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0:45
KC-135R Stratotanker Refuels A-10 Thunderbolt II in formation
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