DEFENDER is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes U.S.and multinational service members from more than Allied and partner nations.

DEFENDER is focused on the strategic deployment of continental, U.S.-based forces, employment of U.S. Army prepositioned stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners at exercise locations across European countries. It seeks to deter adversaries, transform operational mission command, build readiness, and strengthen the NATO Alliance.

Videos
Video by Vincenzo Vitiello
M240 Machine Gun range
Training Support Activity Europe
March 13, 2025 | 0:37
Paratroopers assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade use a M240 machine gun to aim at targets during live-fire exercise conducted at Gasinci training area, Croatia, Mar. 13, 2025.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.
(U.S. Army video by Vincenzo Vitiello).
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.