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Photo 1 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains Troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco During African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. Romero from the 23rd U.S. Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, shreds the bass during a live show in Agadir, Morocco during Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 2 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Spc. Colton of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, sings “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” by Randy Newman for service members and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 3 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
The 23rd Army Band from Utah’s Army National Guard play “Africa” by Toto in Agadir, Morocco for Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 4 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacobson of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, sings “Come Fly With Me” by Frank Sinatra during a live show for service members and Moroccans during Exercise African Lion 2023, Agadir, Morocco, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 5 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Spc. Colton of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, sings “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” by Randy Newman for service members and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 6 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
The 23rd Army Band of Utah’s Army National Guard performs a live show for service members and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 7 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. Romero from the 23rd U.S. Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, plays the bass during a live show in Agadir, Morocco during Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the U.S. Department of Defense State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 8 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Spc. Colton of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, sings “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” by Randy Newman for service members and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 9 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Spc. Colton of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, sings “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” by Randy Newman for service members and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 10 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacobson of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, sings “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond for service members and Moroccans during Exercise African Lion in Agadir, Morocco, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 11 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Murphy of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, plays the saxophone during a live show in Agadir Morocco for Exercise African Lion 2023 participants, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 12 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
The 23rd Army Band of Utah’s Army National Guard performs a live show for service members and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco, for Exercise African Lion 2023, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 13 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
Moroccans enjoy a show put on by the U.S Army’s 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, on June 9, 2023 during Exercise African Lion 2023 in Agadir, Morocco. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 14 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacobson of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, sings classics by Frank Sinatra like “You make me feel so young” for
service members and Moroccans during Exercise African Lion 2023 in Agadir, Morocco on June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 15 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacobson of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, performs for service members and Moroccans during Exercise African Lion 2023 in Agadir, Morocco, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 16 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. King of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, plays the saxophone during a live performance in Agadir, Morocco for Exercise African Lion participants, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 17 of 25
Utah Army National Guard band entertains troops and Moroccans in Agadir, Morocco during African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. Romero plays bass for the 23rd U.S. Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, in Agadir, Morocco for Exercise African Lion participants, June 9, 2023. Utah and Morocco have been partners through the State Partnership Program for 20 years, the first SPP in Africa. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 18 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
The 23rd U.S. Army band from the Utah National Guard performs for the troops at Agadir, Morocco for Exercise African Lion on June 8, 2023. Morocco is the partner state for Utah's National Guard and are celebrating the 20th anniversary of this partnership this year. The State Partnership Program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations around the globe. 18 nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 2023, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023.
(U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 19 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. Romero of the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, plays the keys during a live performance in Agadir, Morocco on June 8, 2023, at Exercise African Lion. African Lion 23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Training together from May 13 to June 16, more than 8,000 participants from 13 nations and NATO will focus on enhancing readiness between U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 20 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Soldiers participating in Exercise African Lion enjoy some live rock music from the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, in Agadir, Morocco, on June 8, 2023.African Lion 23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Training together from May 13 to June 16, more than 8,000 participants from 13 nations and NATO will focus on enhancing readiness between U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 21 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Soldiers participating in Exercise African Lion enjoy a live show from the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, in Agadir, Morocco on June 8, 2023. African Lion 23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Training together from May 13 to June 16, more than 8,000 participants from 13 nations and NATO will focus on enhancing readiness between U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 22 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
The 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, entertains troops with live rock music in Agadir, Morocco, June 8, 2023, during Exercise African Lion. African Lion 23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Training together from May 13 to June 16, more than 8,000 participants from 18 nations and NATO will focus on enhancing readiness between U.S. and partner nation forces.
(U.S. Army Photo by Spc Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 23 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
The rock band from the 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, is called "Article 15." They played classics by John Lennon and The Proclaimers for troops in Agadir Morocco, June 8, 2023, during Exercise African Lion. African Lion 23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Training together from May 13 to June 16, more than 8,000 participants from 13 nations and NATO will focus on enhancing readiness between U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 24 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
The 23rd U.S. Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, plays Journey's "Don’t Stop Believin’"in Agadir, Morocco, June 8, 2023, during Exercise African Lion. African Lion 23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Training together from May 13 to June 16, more than 8,000 participants from 13 nations and NATO will focus on enhancing readiness between U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
Photo 25 of 25
U.S. Army Band Entertains The Troops at Agadir, Morocco for African Lion 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacobson, 23rd Army Band, Utah Army National Guard, plays the trumpet for troops June 8, 2023, in Agadir, Morocco, during Exercise African Lion. African Lion 23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Training together from May 13 to June 16, more than 8,000 participants from 13 nations and NATO will focus on enhancing readiness between U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noah Carlsson)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
AGADIR, Morocco -- Music and patriotism tend to harmonize with one another. This is especially evident within the U.S. Army Band. When U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Morgan Davidson considered his career options, the band was his clear winner.
“I love playing music and I love my country," he said. "I was like, hey this is a way that I can serve my country by doing something that I love. It was a win-win situation for me.”
Davidson eventually joined the 23rd Army Band from the Utah Army National Guard.
Many states have National Guards which are partnered with countries around the world through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. Some states have several partner countries. For Utah, Davidson's home state, that partner country is Morocco.
"For Utah to be selected to be a sister state in that relationship, it's pretty cool," said Davidson. "Utah has been a state partner to Morocco for almost 20 years now, so this exercise is part of that celebration."
The 23rd Army band is currently in Agadir, Morocco playing for Soldiers of not only the U.S. Military, but those of 18 other countries all participating in Exercise African Lion 2023.
African Lion features over 8,000 personnel sharing the goal of providiong a safe, stable Africa by bolstering interoperability and multinational readiness to respond to any kind of crisis.
"We are here supporting exercise African Lion," Davidson added.
He also shared that the relationship goes beyond the state partnership. There is a rich history between the U.S. and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Davidson shared, "Morocco was actually one of the first countries to recognize the United States as a country, which makes it pretty special."
Davidson added that the band was grateful to be a part of the exercise activities in Morocco.
“We’re grateful to be here," he said. "The Moroccans have been great hosts. We feel very welcome everywhere we go. It may seem strange to bring a band along to a large-scale military exercise. Some might say it isn’t necessary or that it’s out of place, but I say music is universal.''
Many exercise participants will receive the opportunity to hear the band play over the coming days, and it's not just American music.
“We are going to be playing and rehearsing this week and next week right here with the Royal Moroccan Air Force Band.”
Davidson concluded that there is a special importance that music brings to the military and at exercises like African Lion.
“That kind of exchange is truly universal," he said. "Everybody understands music. Everybody appreciates music, and when we exchange that kind of sentiment and communication, there’s nothing like it. Maybe it’s not quantifiable, but it's deep and meaningful.”
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