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 Aaron Berogan
Andy Schimpf Rivers Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District - MVS
April 15, 2025 | 2:03
Andy Schimpf, Operations manager at the St. Louis District’s Rivers Project Office explains why new lift gates are being installed at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, and the work that goes into it. Two lift gates leafs, each measuring 110-feet-wide by 26-feet tall and weighing 270 tons, were recently lowered into place by the Rock Island Structures Maintenance Heavy Fleet with the Heavy Lift QUAD CITIES Floating Plant.
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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.