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 Airman 1st Class Sarah Hoover
Sgt. John McMullen Army250 Shout-out
Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office
June 6, 2025 | 0:14
Maryland Army National Guard Sgt. John McMullen, assigned to the 115th Military Police Battalion, Headquarters-Headquarters Detachment, wishes the U.S. Army a happy 250th birthday, while participating in Immediate Response–DEFENDER 25, at the Red Land Training Area, Knin, Croatia, June 2, 2025. Immediate Response 25 is a U.S. Army large-scale exercise enhancing NATO integration through state partnership readiness programs, such as between the Maryland National Guard and Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to further equip NATO’s regional plans and uphold U.S. commitments to the Alliance. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Hoover)
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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.