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 1st Lt. Aylin Hernandez
Stress Shoot
25th Infantry Division
June 6, 2025 | 0:40
Staying Ready. Staying Lethal.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Dragon Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, conducted an M4 Stress Shoot in support of Salaknib 25 on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, May 14, 2025. The training integrates Skydio drone technology and Advanced Functional Training (AFT) to enhance our ability to see, sense, strike, protect. By combining marksmanship with jungle fieldcraft tasks, this training advanced our warfighting proficiency and readiness.

Salaknib 2025 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.