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
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Video by Cpl. Danielle Rayon
OK Guard’s Thunderbird Youth Challenge empowers Oklahoma youth
Oklahoma National Guard
July 15, 2024 | 3:47
The Thunderbird Youth Challenge, an initiative of the Oklahoma National Guard, is making a significant impact in the lives of at-risk Oklahoma youth by providing tools and opportunities to change their lives for the better.

The program, established in 1993, offers a 22-week residential phase followed by a 12-month post-residential phase, focusing on education, self-discipline and leadership. Its mission is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of kids falling behind in school, producing program graduates with the values, life skills and education necessary to succeed as adults.

“These kids are willing, they want to be here, they want to succeed, they want to grow, they want to learn things and come out the other side of this program as a more capable and qualified individual to go out there and be successful in their future,” said Chris Stout, director of the Thunderbird Youth Challenge.

CG INFO:
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Chris Stout, Thunderbird Youth Challenge director

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Brooklin Bigall, Thunderbird Youth Challenge student

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Jordan Harper, Thunderbird Youth Challenge student
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