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 Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish
Meet the F-35 Demo Pilot
F-35A Demo Team
March 8, 2024 | 3:26
Meet the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, Capt. Melanie "MACH" Kluesner, assigned to the 421st Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Kluesner comes from a military family and was inspired at young age by her parents, both U.S. Air Force pilots, to become a fighter pilot.
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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.