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 Sgt. Salvador Castro
10th Mountain, 11th Airborne Division, Canadian Soldiers train with Finnish Tents
27th Public Affairs Detachment
Feb. 22, 2025 | 2:08
Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, and the Third Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, train with the Finnish Jaeger Brigade on the 12-Man Modular Arctic tents during Arctic Forge 25 in Sodankylä, Finland, Feb. 20, 2025. Arctic Forge 25 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led biennial exercise held in Finland and Norway from Feb. 17 to Feb. 28. NATO allies work together to integrate by design using a plans-based approach to build interoperable warfighting capacity for collective defense. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Salvador Castro)
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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.