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 Lance Cpl. Joseph DeMarcus, Lance Cpl. Andra Marton-Salgado
Marine Minute: 19-25
Defense Media Activity - Marines
May 16, 2025 | 0:59
U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, alongside Australian Army soldiers with 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and Philippine Marines with 3rd Marine Brigade, participate in a Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations event, in support of Exercise Balikatan 25 near Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, May 5, 2025. U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct the counter-landing live-fire event during Exercise Balikatan 25 in Aparri, Philippines, May 3, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Joseph E. DeMarcus)
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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.