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 Spc. Kirsti Anne Beckett, Staff Sgt. Angela Ohearn
Broll: Immediate Response 24 Victory in Europe Day Czech Republic
221st Public Affairs Detachment
May 13, 2024 | 5:56
U.S. Army Soldiers and Czech soldiers celebrate Victory in Europe Day in Hranice, Czech Republic, May 8, 2024, in commemoration of the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces May 8, 1945. Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia National Guard Soldiers and U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve soldiers are participating in Immediate Response 24, an annual exercise part of the U.S. Army's DEFENDER series.

DEFENDER 24 is the Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, and is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, and DoD’s Large Scale Global Exercise, taking place from 28 March to 31 May. DEFENDER 24 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations, including Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

The 7th Mission Support Command, America’s Army Reserve in Europe, provides ready, capable units of action, to support U.S. Army Europe – Africa missions across the globe. For more stories and information on the 7th Mission Support Command, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Staff Sgt. Angela O’Hearn and Spc. Kirsti Anne Beckett).
More

Up Next

More Videos

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.