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 Lance Cpl. Skilah Sanchez
31st MEU, 3rd MLG conduct Casualty Evacuation exercise b-roll
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
May 24, 2025 | 1:51
U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Sailors with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Marine Air Wing and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct casualty evacuation exercises during a casualty evacuation exercise on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, May 21, 2025. Marines and Sailors conducted ground and air hoist guidance and tactical combat casualty care techniques in rural terrain scenarios. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Skilah Sanchez)
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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.