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 Senior Airman Mateo Parra
How I Hold the Line - Capt. Darryl Thompson
27th Special Operations Wing
June 12, 2024 | 1:42
Working from the inside out

As the Director of Operations for the 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group Detachment 1, Capt Darryl Thompson is tasked with training, equipping, and leading two Aircraft Maintenance Units.

He takes the training he received at Valdosta State University and implements it into the most rewarding part of his official duties: the community he serves.

“One first and foremost thing that I will always enjoy about working in this community, is having that bond with a team,” Thompson said. “The mentorship ability that you have working as a leader in this community, it’s something so different but so mesmerizing.”

Every day, Thompson sees the first SOF Truth in action. He knows that humans are more important than hardware, and that enhancing our relationships is the only way to maintain the #SteadfastLine and mission success.
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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.