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 | Helocast B-Roll
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
May 24, 2025 | 2:56
U.S. Marines with Weapons and Baker Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct a helocast at Kin Blue Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, May 21, 2025. The purpose of a helocast is to enhance airborne techniques and enable Marines to insert personnel into a body of water from an aircraft. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, and provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo 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.