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 Brian G. Rhodes
Tom Cruise meets with wounded warriors, Gold Star families and service members from JBSA
502nd Air Base Wing
May 22, 2025 | 2:55
Director Christopher McQuarrie and actor Tom Cruise visit with Gold Star families, Wounded Warriors and service members before a private viewing of their movie, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at the Rivercenter AMC theater, in San Antonio Texas, May 22, 2025. McQuarrie and Cruise's new movie is a continuation from the previous movie, Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, which grossed more than $571 million dollars worldwide. (U.S. Air Force video by Brian G. Rhodes)
More

Up Next

More Videos

What is happening where?

Redirecting...
  • 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.