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 Libby Weiler
African Lion - Cap Draa Range in Tan Tan, Morocco
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
May 28, 2025 | 2:34
US Marine Gen. Michael Langley visits Cap Draa during African Lion 2025 in Tan Tan, Morocco May 23, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25), the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army video by Libby Wheeler)

(00:00:00) WIDE PAN: Armed forces stand in formation.
(00:14:00) WIDE PAN: Armed forces stand in formation with helicopters passing by.
(00:22:00) WIDE SHOT: Helicopter lands.
(00:30:00) WIDE PAN: Armed forces in formation.
(00:41:00) WIDE SHOT: Armed forces using radio on a balcony.
(00:48:00) WIDE PAN: Marines looking out into the desert through a window.
(01:00:00)WIDE SHOT: Jets fly by in the sky while armed forces hold an African Lion banner.
(01:04:00) WIDE SHOT: Desert.
(01:06:00) WIDE SHOT: Desert.
(01:10:00) WIDE SHOT: Desert.
(01:14:00) WIDE SHOT: A tank explodes in the desert.
(01:30:00) WIDE SHOT: Tanks drive away.
(01:36:00) WIDE SHOT: Missiles shot in the air.
(01:50:00) WIDE SHOT: Smoke in the desert appears from the explosions.
(01:57:00) WIDE SHOT: Moroccan official speaks in front of a podium.
(02:17:00) WIDE PAN SHOT: Gen. Michael Langley speaks in front of a podium.
speaks in front of a podium.
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.