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 Senior Airman Kaden Salmons
2025 Best Warrior Competition Prep
130th Airlift Wing
Feb. 2, 2025 | 5:53
Members of the West Virginia Army National Guard, West Virginia Air National Guard, and District of Columbia National Guard participate in pre-competition training for the 2025 Best Warrior Competition (BWC) at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, Jan. 29, 2025. This training included land navigation, weapons familiarization, tactical combat casualty care, and calling a nine line medical evacuation on SINCGAR radio systems. This year, the WVARNG is hosting its annual BWC in partnership with the Qatar Armed Forces from Feb. 2-5, 2025, at the National Service Academy in Doha, Qatar. This year’s competition is the first to be hosted jointly with a partner nation outside the continental United States, and the first time that partner nation’s military members have competed alongside U.S. service members. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Senior Airman Kaden Salmons)
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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.