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 Cpl. Brian Knowles
Balikatan 25: VMM-364 conducts tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel training
Exercise Balikatan
May 1, 2025 | 3:35
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel as part of Exercise Balikatan 25 in the South China Sea, April 28, 2025. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen our ironclad alliance, improve our capable combined force, and demonstrate our commitment to regional security and stability. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Brian Knowles)
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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.