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
Playlist:
Video by Sgt. Daniel Luna
Broll: US, Moroccan Soldiers train in close-quarter combat during African Lion 25
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
May 23, 2025 | 0:29
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah National Guard, conduct close-quarter combat training with members of Moroccan Special Operations during African Lion 2025 (AL25), in Tifnit, Morocco, May 13, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (Video was altered for security purposes) (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Daniel Luna)

(00:00:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Moroccan Special Operations enter and clear a room
(00:04:05) MEDIUM SHOT: Moroccan Special Operations enter and clear a room
(00:08:20) MEDIUM SHOT: Soldier assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group(Airborne) observe Moroccan Special Operations clear a room
(00:15:21) MEDIUM SHOT: Moroccan Special Operations conduct close-quarter combat training
(00:17:10) MEDIUM SHOT: Moroccan Special Operations conduct close-quarter combat training
(00:22:22) MEDIUM SHOT: Moroccan Special Operations conduct close-quarter combat training
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special forcesspecial operations trainingAfricanLionClose Quarter Combat TrainingStrongerTogether
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Broll: US, Moroccan Soldiers train in close-quarter combat during African Lion 25
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