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 Sgt. Edison Lobos
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps leads run with 1st MAW staff noncommissioned officers
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Sept. 9, 2025 | 3:56
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz, the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, leads staff noncommissioned officers with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in a motivational run on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 3, 2025. The motivational run was held to reinforce the importance of physical fitness, esprit de corps, and warrior ethos among staff NCOs. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Edison Lobos)
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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.