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. 1st Class Dalton Smith
B-ROLL PACKAGE: 173rd Airborne Brigade takes flight during Swift Response 25 (4K)
361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element
May 22, 2025 | 1:29
U.S. Army Soldiers, with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 2nd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment Task Force Desert Knights, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, take part in a joint force exercise during Swift Response 2025, Lithuania, May 20, 2025.

Helicopters, such as the CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk, were used during the air assault to demonstrate force projection and enhance U.S. readiness and lethality.

DEFENDER 25 is the largest annual U.S. Army exercise in Europe, incorporating approximately 25,000 soldiers from 29 Allied and partner nations to rehearse the ability to rapidly deploy forces, integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, and demonstrate combined command and control structures. Simultaneous operations will take place during three exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—across 15 countries, building readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO Allies, and partner nations from May 11 to June 24, 2025.

(U.S. Army Reserve video by Sgt. 1st Class Dalton Smith)
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What is happening where?

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  • Swift Response

    FinlandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySwedenSlovenia

  • Immediate Response

    AlbaniaBulgariaCroatiaGreeceKosovoMontenegroNorth MacedoniaSlovakia

  • Saber Guardian

    CzechiaGermanyHungaryRomaniaSlovakia

Press Information

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