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 Scott Sturkol
UH-60 Black Hawks support ESGR event at Fort McCoy, Part 4
Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office
June 18, 2025 | 0:17
A UH-60 Black Hawk with the Wisconsin National Guard takes off June 4, 2025, while supporting the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift event at Fort McCoy, Wis. Dozens of Boss Lift participants visited areas of Fort McCoy during the event. According to the Wisconsin ESGR, "patriotic employers of Guard and Reserve service members from around the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota were treated to an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift courtesy of the Wisconsin Army National Guard." Wisconsin National Guard aviators and crews flew employers from all around the state. (U.S. Army Video by Scott Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.