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 Antonio Bedin
Best Squad Competition Slovenian Armed Forces 2024
Training Support Activity Europe
May 15, 2024 | 2:38
U.S. paratroopers, assigned to 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, participate to Closing Ceremony of 10th Best Soldier Competition Slovenia Armed Forces 2024 in Postojna, May 8, 2024.
The SAF Best Squad Competition is a competition of squads with international participation. The focus is on regional cooperation – the Central European region after the division of EUCOM, which includes Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and the countries of Austria, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Colorado National Guard as State partner is also involved.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.
(U.S. Army Video by Antonio Bedin)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.