WIESBADEN, Germany — Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, DEFENDER 25, is a large-scale U.S. Army exercise that tests how quickly and effectively American troops can deploy to Europe and defend the Eastern Flank with NATO allies and partners.
Beginning April 10, 2025, equipment and personnel depart the U.S. to demonstrate the U.S. military’s ability to send forces across long distances, maintain operations and support its allies from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. This exercise confirms the capabilities to deny aggressors and reinforces the U.S. commitment to NATO’s defense strategy and increases combat capability to deter with power.
“This is about global deterrence,” said Gen. Christoper Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “Everything we demonstrate we can do with our Allies and partners we can pick up and do anywhere. DEFENDER gets us sets and reps at theater logistics and warfighting at scale that isn’t being done anywhere else right now.”
Immediate Response 24 is the first time the U.S. Army has utilized this seaport for port operations making a new logistical pathway that enhances U.S. strategic flexibility and reach to the “High North” in order to defend its NATO Allies. Military exercises involving NATO Allie’s and partner nations in the European theater remain an integral part of demonstrating our capability, readiness, and interoperability. VIEW ORIGINAL
DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies and partner militaries. This year, more than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in 14 countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region. VIEW ORIGINAL
After arriving in Europe, U.S. forces take part in three major exercises — Swift Response, Immediate Response and Saber Guardian. These drills involve approximately 25,000 troops from the U.S., allies and partners, working together to improve coordination, tactics and equipment compatibility. The training takes place in 18 countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden, occurring from May 11-June 24, 2025. By strengthening teamwork and military readiness, these exercises help ensure U.S., NATO allies and partner forces are able to respond decisively with lethal force to dominate and win against military forces that threaten regional national sovereignties.
This marks DEFENDER’s sixth iteration, deploying 5,400 troops and equipment from the U.S. to bolster global security. The 21st Theater Sustainment Command integrates inbound troops and their equipment into foreign training areas. Meanwhile, five near simultaneous allied and partner airborne operations will take place in Finland, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden during Swift Response 25. From May 11-31, the power projection rehearsal focuses on the expansion of critical capabilities on the battlefield in the High North and Baltics through intricate airborne operations and the integration of technology in support of the U.S. Army Modernization Strategy and DOD Arctic Strategy. In addition to airborne operations, a hospital exercise, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems Rapid Infiltration training, air assaults and experimentation are occurring in Swift Response 25.
Immediate Response 25 is the second phase during which approximately 12,000 U.S. allies and partners assemble during theater opening activities from May 26-June 9 to reinforce cyber defenses and demonstrate security capabilities while continuing NATO integration through state partnership readiness programs and combined training events. Immediate Response 25 demonstrates multinational live fires conducted with NATO networks, a cyber exercise, a river crossing and defense protection exercises hosted in eight countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Slovakia.
DEFENDER is the Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness and is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, and DoD’s Large Scale Global Exercise, taking place from 28 March to 31 May. DEFENDER 24 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations, including Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. VIEW ORIGINAL
The final phase, Saber Guardian 25, enhances NATO land component mission command and improves coordination among NATO Allied and partner forces in a fast-moving environment. Starting with a long tactical road march by U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the realistic and multi-domain training brings together approximately 10,000 multinational troops from June 9-24 and takes place in Czechia, Hungary and Romania. Saber Guardian 25 includes convoys, river crossings, live-fire events and a rocket live-fire exercise, reinforcing U.S. capabilities and readiness to defend its Allies.
The USAREUR-AF Band & Chorus and other U.S. Army units will conduct a series of dynamic performances and community engagements across Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania ahead of DEFENDER 25. These outreach events will include interactive and static displays aimed at bolstering international camaraderie and informing local communities about exercises.
DEFENDER 25 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe, scheduled by U.S. European Command and conducted by U.S. Army Europe and Africa involving more than 25 Allied and partner nations. Upon the conclusion of DEFENDER 25 and the series of exercises, the 21st TSC will ensure all U.S. troops and equipment return to home stations.
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