DefenderEurope

DEFENDER: A Legacy of Strength and Commitment

For five years, the Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness (DEFENDER) exercise series has been the cornerstone of the U.S. Army’s commitment to European security. It has proven our ability to rapidly deploy combat-credible forces across the Atlantic, integrate with NATO Allies and partners, and demonstrate the strength of our collective resolve.

DEFENDER was not just an exercise; it was a visible and powerful affirmation of unity, readiness, and deterrence.

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From DEFENDER to Sword: A Strategic Transition

DEFENDER accomplished what it set out to do: validate the ability of U.S. forces to deploy rapidly, operate effectively alongside Allies, and deter aggression. It strengthened NATO’s collective defense posture and built trust among partner nations.

The new Sword exercise series shifts the focus of the exercise to in-place forces alongside increasingly lethal Allied land forces assuming more responsibility for the defense of Europe. For U.S. forces, it’s a platform for integrating cutting-edge capabilities, such as AI-enabled command and control systems, and multi-domain operations.

For more information on Sword and related exercises, visit the Sword website.

Building Readiness, Strengthening Alliances (2020-2025)

Launched in 2020, DEFENDER was designed to test and validate the ability of U.S. forces to deploy from bases in the United States to operational areas across Europe. Over the years, it grew into one of the largest and most complex multinational exercises in modern history, showcasing the capabilities of U.S. and Allied forces working together to protect NATO’s Eastern Flank.

Key operational achievements include:

Strategic Force Projection: DEFENDER repeatedly demonstrated the ability to deploy thousands of U.S.-based Soldiers and their equipment across Europe with speed and precision, ensuring readiness to respond to any crisis.
Command and Control Modernization: The exercise integrated the newly reactivated V Corps into the command structure, enhancing the ability to lead large-scale Allied operations and strengthening NATO’s collective defense posture.
Prepositioned Stocks: Drawing on Army Prepositioned Stocks (APS) in Europe, DEFENDER proved the ability to equip forces rapidly, ensuring they were ready to fight upon arrival.
Alliance Integration: In 2024, DEFENDER was directly linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender, the largest Alliance exercise in decades, showcasing seamless U.S. contributions to collective defense and reaffirming the strength of the transatlantic bond.

DEFENDER in a Time of Crisis

The initial DEFENDER in 2020 was executed during the global COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of U.S. and Allied forces. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the exercise maintained its focus on readiness and interoperability, proving that even in the most difficult circumstances, the mission endures.

DEFENDER’s importance was underscored in 2022, when the exercise was conducted against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. DEFENDER 22 became more than a training event, it was a demonstration of NATO’s unity in the face of aggression. It sent a clear message to European partners and adversaries: The Alliance is unified, capable, and ready to defend every inch of NATO Territory.

This real-world context transformed DEFENDER into a critical act of deterrence, highlighting the importance of readiness and the strength of Allied partnerships during one of Europe’s most challenging moments in recent history.

Press Information

All news, photos and videos from DEFENDER is available for download on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
Visit this link for an image gallery
Defender Press Release Archive

Videos

Video by Brian Andries

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B-Roll: SETAF-AF Soldiers practice Expert Physical Fitness Assessment

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Sept. 16, 2025 | 5:14

U.S. Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) practice the Expert Physical Fitness Assessment for physical training at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Aug. 22, 2025. This training prepared the Soldiers to earn the Expert Soldier Badge. (U.S. Army video by Brian Andries)

SHOT LIST:
00:00-00:07 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform adjusting his helmet and equipment.
00:07-00:15 -- Wide shot of several U.S. Army Soldiers and a civilian jogging in formation on a paved road.
00:15-00:23 -- Wide shot of three U.S. Army Soldiers running toward the camera.
00:23-00:29 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform jogging toward the camera.
00:29-00:33 -- Close up of a U.S. Army Soldier's face as he jogs past.
00:33-00:38 -- Low angle, close-up shot of a U.S. Army Soldier conducting push ups on a grassy area.
00:38-00:44 -- Medium shot from the back of a U.S. Army Soldier jogging down a paved road.
00:44-00:54 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform running toward the camera, then stopping to take a breath.
00:54-01:08 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier picking up and placing sandbags into the back of a military vehicle.
01:08-01:13 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform looking at the camera, then turning away.
01:13-01:28 -- Low angle, medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier heaving sandbags into the back of a military vehicle.
01:28-01:33 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform conducting push ups in a grassy area.
01:33-01:37 -- Wide shot of a U.S. Army Soldier jogging toward the camera, then running out of frame.
01:37-01:52 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier picking up and throwing sandbags into the back of a military vehicle.
01:52-01:59 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform walking away from the camera.
01:59-02:10 -- Low angle, medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier crawling through the grass.
02:10-02:16 -- Medium shot of a female U.S. Army Soldier in uniform writing on a clipboard.
02:16-02:21 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform putting his helmet on and adjusting the straps.
02:21-02:24 -- Wide shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers standing in formation.
02:24-02:28 -- Close up of an American Flag patch on the shoulder of a U.S. Army Soldier.
02:28-02:37 -- Close up of a female U.S. Army Soldier in uniform smiling at another Soldier.
02:37-02:45 -- Wide shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers in uniform jogging away from the camera.
02:45-02:59 -- Low angle, close-up shot of a U.S. Army Soldier doing burpees.
03:00-03:05 -- Close-up of a U.S. Army Soldier doing push-ups on a paved surface.
03:05-03:13 -- Medium shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers jogging toward the camera on a paved road.
03:13-03:22 -- Close-up of a female U.S. Army Soldier picking up and placing sandbags into the back of a military vehicle.
03:22-03:27 -- Medium shot of a female U.S. Army Soldier jogging down a paved road.
03:27-03:33 -- Close-up of a U.S. Army Soldier doing push-ups on a paved surface.
03:33-03:45 -- Wide shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers jogging on a paved road.
03:45-03:51 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier picking up and placing sandbags into the back of a military vehicle while other Soldiers gather around the vehicle.
03:51-04:06 -- Low angle, medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier in uniform crawling on a grassy area.
04:06-04:14 -- Medium shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers walking toward the camera, carrying military containers.
04:14-04:19 -- Close-up of a U.S. Army Soldier's boots while he walks.
04:19-04:23 -- Wide shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers jogging toward the camera
04:23-04:28 -- Medium shot of a U.S. Army Soldier jogging toward the camera.
04:29-04:34 -- Wide shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers walking towards camera, carrying water cans.
04:35-04:40 -- Wide shot of a group of U.S. Army Soldiers in plate carriers with water cans walking towards the camera.
04:41-04:45 -- Medium wide shot of sergeant in plate carrier runs toward camera
04:46-05:14 -- Medium shot of U.S. Army Soldiers jogging towards camera.