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
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Video by Sgt. Joseph Mcdonald
18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion preps for DEFENDER 2023 in North Macedonia
319th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
May 17, 2023 | 1:05
18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion soldiers, Cpt. Pake Davis and Sgt. Raveen Reid, discuss the preparations made by their battalion in Krivolak, North Macedonia for 2-135 IN APS Draw. From organizing their command center to setting up their designated area, they reflect on the significance of this training experience ahead of Defender 2023. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF’s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF’s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,800 U.S. and 15,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.