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

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Video by Capt. Jennifer French
B-Roll: 173rd Airborne Brigade Leads Multinational Airborne Operation During Swift Response 2025 in Lithuania
173rd Airborne Brigade
May 16, 2025 | 1:46
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade exit a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules over Memel Drop Zone at Gaiziunai Training Area, Lithuania, during a joint forcible entry operation as part of Swift Response 2025, May 16, 2025.

The airborne operation integrated 1,650 paratroopers from five NATO nations—including Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands—demonstrating the Alliance’s ability to rapidly project combat power without notice.

As the U.S. Army’s only Airborne Brigade forward-stationed in Europe, the 173rd serves as the Contingency Response Force for U.S. European Command—able to deploy on short notice to deter aggression and defend NATO’s eastern flank. Swift Response, linked to Lithuania’s national exercise Iron Wolf, validated multinational warfighting readiness with combined air-land operations and medical support.

(U.S. Army video by Capt. Jennifer French)
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173rd AirborneSwift ResponseStrongerTogetherDefenderEuropeDefender Europe
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B-Roll: 173rd Airborne Brigade Leads Multinational Airborne Operation During Swift Response 2025 in Lithuania
B-Roll: 173rd Airborne Brigade Leads Multinational Airborne Operation During Swift Response 2025 in Lithuania
Saber Guardian 25: Multinational Live-Fire Readiness Exercise
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Saber Guardian 25: Multinational Live-Fire Readiness Exercise
BROLL: U.S. Soldiers alongside NATO Allies conduct live-fire demonstrations during Saber Guardian 25
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3:02
BROLL: U.S. Soldiers alongside NATO Allies conduct live-fire demonstrations during Saber Guardian 25
2CR Soldiers join Spanish and Hungarian Defense Forces for a multinational live-fire demonstration during Saber Guardian 25
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2CR Soldiers join Spanish and Hungarian Defense Forces for a multinational live-fire demonstration during Saber Guardian 25
Hot Loading Training for 2CR medics during Saber Guardian 25
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Hot Loading Training for 2CR medics during Saber Guardian 25
REEL: 2CR Soldiers conduct urban combat training with Spanish Armed Forces in Hungary during Saber Guardian 25
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REEL: 2CR Soldiers conduct urban combat training with Spanish Armed Forces in Hungary during Saber Guardian 25
2CR Soldiers conduct room clearing readiness training with Spanish Armed forces
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2CR Soldiers conduct room clearing readiness training with Spanish Armed forces
7th Engineer Brigade works with Romanian and Italian soldiers in Saber Guardian 25
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7th Engineer Brigade works with Romanian and Italian soldiers in Saber Guardian 25
41st FAB medics conduct medical operations during OPFOR attack during Saber Guardian 25
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2:51
41st FAB medics conduct medical operations during OPFOR attack during Saber Guardian 25
Reel: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
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Reel: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
Saber Guardian 25: 12th CAB conducts aerial gunnery exercise
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Saber Guardian 25: 12th CAB conducts aerial gunnery exercise
U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25 (Part 2)
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U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25 (Part 2)
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct an Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
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B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct an Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
Saber Guardian 25 - Wet Gap Crossing Drone Footage
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Saber Guardian 25 - Wet Gap Crossing Drone Footage
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing and Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
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B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing and Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
2CR Soldiers conduct Battle Drill Six- enter and clear building
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2CR Soldiers conduct Battle Drill Six- enter and clear building
Brig. Gen. Andrew B. Stone visits 2CR Soldier during Saber Guardian 25
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Brig. Gen. Andrew B. Stone visits 2CR Soldier during Saber Guardian 25
2CR Soldiers execute room clearing readiness training during Saber Guardian 25
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2CR Soldiers execute room clearing readiness training during Saber Guardian 25
REEL: 7th Engineer Brigade and Romanian Army conduct wet gap crossing in Romania during Saber Guardian 25
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REEL: 7th Engineer Brigade and Romanian Army conduct wet gap crossing in Romania during Saber Guardian 25
4-2CR Conducts Urban Combat Training During Saber Guardian 25
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4-2CR Conducts Urban Combat Training During Saber Guardian 25
Saber Guardian 25: U.S. and NATO Forces Showcase Lethality Across the European Theater
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0:34
Saber Guardian 25: U.S. and NATO Forces Showcase Lethality Across the European Theater
12th CAB conducts Apache live fire during Saber Guardian 25
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12th CAB conducts Apache live fire during Saber Guardian 25
Maryland Army National Guard supports Immediate Response 25 with partners in Croatia
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Maryland Army National Guard supports Immediate Response 25 with partners in Croatia
Wet Gap Crossing during Saber Guardian 25 Reel
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Wet Gap Crossing during Saber Guardian 25 Reel
Interview: Saber Guardian 25 – 2nd Lt. Nicolas Yepes
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Interview: Saber Guardian 25 – 2nd Lt. Nicolas Yepes
7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Wet Gap Crossing in Romania
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7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Wet Gap Crossing in Romania
U.S. Soldiers Rehearse Wet Gap Crossing Procedures during Saber Guardian 25
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U.S. Soldiers Rehearse Wet Gap Crossing Procedures during Saber Guardian 25
Reel: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
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Reel: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
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3:16
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
U.S. participates in multinational Live-Fire Exercise in Bulgaria during Immediate Response 25
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U.S. participates in multinational Live-Fire Exercise in Bulgaria during Immediate Response 25
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  • Swift Response

    FinlandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySwedenSlovenia

  • Immediate Response

    AlbaniaBulgariaCroatiaGreeceKosovoMontenegroNorth MacedoniaSlovakia

  • Saber Guardian

    CzechiaGermanyHungaryRomaniaSlovakia

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Defender News

enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.