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 Master Sgt. Rachelle Morris
Operation Arctic Care 2025
Office of the Secretary of Defense Innovative Readiness Training (IRT)
May 15, 2025 | 3:48
Thirty miles above the artic circle, 128 joint service members gathered in Kotzebue, Alaska, to take part in Operation Arctic Care, an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) medical mission where residents received no-cost medical, dental, and veterinarian services. Many of the mission’s participants were forward deployed to an additional 11 villages across the region, being transported by Alaska National Guard Black Hawk helicopters and snow mobiles. They provided services in the community partner, Maniilaq Association, facilities.
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Press Information

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