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

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Video by Christopher Davis
III Corps Conducts Railhead Operations Preparing for Army 250th Celebration
III Armored Corps
May 22, 2025 | 0:30
In preparation for the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday Celebration in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025, the III Armored Corps initiated railhead operations during the week of May 18 at the Rail Operations Center on Fort Cavazos. Over several days, Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division staged a range of armored platforms including M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, M109A7 Paladins, M2A3 Bradleys, and M1126 Strykers alongside various support vehicles. Following detailed inspections and validation, the vehicles were loaded onto railcars by a coordinated team of Soldiers and civilian personnel.
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