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

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Video by Sgt. Chandler Coats
U.S. Soldiers in Romania rehearse wet gap crossing for Saber Guardian 25
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
June 10, 2025 | 0:41
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 7th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command rehearse wet gap crossing procedures in preparation for Saber Guardian 25 in Frecatei, Romania, June 8, 2025. These exercises allow the U.S. Army to operate at new ports while also rehearsing the deployment and integration of U.S. military combat equipment throughout Europe, ensuring that the U.S. Army is ready at all times to support and defend NATO allies and partner forces across all domains. U.S. Army video footage captured by Sgt. Kourtney Nunnery. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army video edited by Sgt. Chandler Coats)
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U.S. Soldiers in Romania rehearse wet gap crossing for Saber Guardian 25
U.S. Soldiers in Romania rehearse wet gap crossing for Saber Guardian 25
U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25 (Part 2)
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3:46
U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25 (Part 2)
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct an Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
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B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct an Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
Saber Guardian 25 - Wet Gap Crossing Drone Footage
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Saber Guardian 25 - Wet Gap Crossing Drone Footage
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing and Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
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B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing and Award Ceremony for Saber Guardian 25
2CR Soldiers conduct Battle Drill Six- enter and clear building
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2CR Soldiers conduct Battle Drill Six- enter and clear building
Brig. Gen. Andrew B. Stone visits 2CR Soldier during Saber Guardian 25
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Brig. Gen. Andrew B. Stone visits 2CR Soldier during Saber Guardian 25
2CR Soldiers execute room clearing readiness training during Saber Guardian 25
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2CR Soldiers execute room clearing readiness training during Saber Guardian 25
REEL: 7th Engineer Brigade and Romanian Army conduct wet gap crossing in Romania during Saber Guardian 25
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0:36
REEL: 7th Engineer Brigade and Romanian Army conduct wet gap crossing in Romania during Saber Guardian 25
4-2CR Conducts Urban Combat Training During Saber Guardian 25
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0:52
4-2CR Conducts Urban Combat Training During Saber Guardian 25
Saber Guardian 25: U.S. and NATO Forces Showcase Lethality Across the European Theater
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Saber Guardian 25: U.S. and NATO Forces Showcase Lethality Across the European Theater
12th CAB conducts Apache live fire during Saber Guardian 25
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12th CAB conducts Apache live fire during Saber Guardian 25
Maryland Army National Guard supports Immediate Response 25 with partners in Croatia
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Maryland Army National Guard supports Immediate Response 25 with partners in Croatia
Wet Gap Crossing during Saber Guardian 25 Reel
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Wet Gap Crossing during Saber Guardian 25 Reel
Interview: Saber Guardian 25 – 2nd Lt. Nicolas Yepes
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Interview: Saber Guardian 25 – 2nd Lt. Nicolas Yepes
7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Wet Gap Crossing in Romania
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7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Wet Gap Crossing in Romania
U.S. Soldiers Rehearse Wet Gap Crossing Procedures during Saber Guardian 25
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2:21
U.S. Soldiers Rehearse Wet Gap Crossing Procedures during Saber Guardian 25
Reel: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
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0:29
Reel: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
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3:16
B-Roll: U.S. Soldiers Conduct Wet Gap Crossing for Saber Guardian 25
U.S. participates in multinational Live-Fire Exercise in Bulgaria during Immediate Response 25
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U.S. participates in multinational Live-Fire Exercise in Bulgaria during Immediate Response 25
12CAB Soldiers showcase apache lethality during Saber Guardian 25
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12CAB Soldiers showcase apache lethality during Saber Guardian 25
12CAB Soldiers showcase Apache lethality during Saber Guardian 25
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12CAB Soldiers showcase Apache lethality during Saber Guardian 25
REEL: U.S. Soldiers rearm and refuel AH-64 Apache helicopters in Hungary during Saber Guardian 25
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REEL: U.S. Soldiers rearm and refuel AH-64 Apache helicopters in Hungary during Saber Guardian 25
7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Limited Visibility Wet Gap Crossing
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7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Limited Visibility Wet Gap Crossing
B-roll: Immediate Response 25 - Countries showcase static displays
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B-roll: Immediate Response 25 - Countries showcase static displays
Immediate Response 25 - Live-fire exercise
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3:13
Immediate Response 25 - Live-fire exercise
7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Limited Visibility Wet Gap Crossing
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7th Engineer Brigade Conduct Limited Visibility Wet Gap Crossing
2CR Convoys Across European Theater During Saber Guardian 25
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0:32
2CR Convoys Across European Theater During Saber Guardian 25
B-roll: Immediate Response 25 with Balkan Sentinel conclude live-fire exercise
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B-roll: Immediate Response 25 with Balkan Sentinel conclude live-fire exercise
B-roll: Immediate Response 25 - Bulgarian Land Forces band welcomes Bulgarian Minister of Defense, Atanas Zaprianov
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1:08
B-roll: Immediate Response 25 - Bulgarian Land Forces band welcomes Bulgarian Minister of Defense, Atanas Zaprianov
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  • Swift Response

    FinlandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySwedenSlovenia

  • Immediate Response

    AlbaniaBulgariaCroatiaGreeceKosovoMontenegroNorth MacedoniaSlovakia

  • Saber Guardian

    CzechiaGermanyHungaryRomaniaSlovakia

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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.