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 Airman 1st Class Charlee Guillaume
555 FS Flies High During Combat Archer UK
AFN Aviano
April 30, 2025 | 1:01
The 555th Fighter Squadron participates in Combat Archer U.K. at RAF Lakenheath, England, April 8-18, 2025. Combat Archer is the air-to-air element of the six-element Combat Weapons System Evaluation Program that is conducted to prepare and evaluate operational fighter squadrons’ readiness for combat operations. This was the 555 FS’s first time participating in the European iteration, which is typically only offered in the U.S., saving millions of dollars in transportation costs while providing the same lethal training to pilots and support crews. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Charlee Guillaume)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.