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 Sgt. Peter Rawlins
31st MEU | MV-22B aerial shoots during Talisman Sabre 25
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
July 29, 2025 | 1:19
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire a GAU-21 .50 caliber machine gun aboard a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey during flight operations as a part of Talisman Sabre 25, in the Coral Sea, July 18, 2025. Marines conducted aerial live fire to maintain crew served weapons proficiency and capabilities to defend aircraft. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Peter Rawlins)
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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.