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

Videos
Video by Vincenzo Vitiello
Drone Training
Training Support Activity Europe
March 13, 2025 | 1:21
Paratroopers assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade conduct UAS training at Gasinci training area, Croatia, Mar. 11, 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.