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US, Tunisia conduct opening ceremony of African Lion 2025
U.S. Army Col. Drew Conover, left, director of training and exercises for the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), discusses the start of African Lion 2025 (AL25) with Tunisian Senior Col. Majid Mguidich, middle, AL25 exercise director, and Emily Katkar, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Tunis, Tunisia during the opening ceremony for AL25 at El Aouina Air Base, Tunisia, April 22, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend
Photo 2 of 4
US, Tunisia conduct opening ceremony of African Lion 2025
Tunisian Senior Col. Majid Mguidich, exercise director for African Lion 2025 (AL25), middle, provides opening remarks to representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) during the AL25 opening ceremony at El Aouina Air Base, Tunisia, April 22, 2025. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend
Photo 3 of 4
US, Tunisia conduct opening ceremony of African Lion 2025
U.S. Army Col. Drew Conover, left, director of training and exercises for the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), discusses the start of African Lion 2025 (AL24) with Tunisian Senior Col. Majid Mguidich, AL25 exercise director, during the opening ceremony at El Aouina Air Base, Tunisia, April 22, 2025. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend
Photo 4 of 4
US, Tunisia conduct opening ceremony of African Lion 2025
Deputy Chief of Mission, Emily Katkar, U.S. Embassy Tunis, Tunisia, provides opening remarks to representatives from the Tunisian Armed forces and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) during the African Lion 2025 (AL25) opening ceremony at El Aouina Air Base, Tunisia, April 22, 2025. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend
ARABIC | U.S. EMBASSY IN TUNISIA | AFRICAN LION IMAGERY | AFRICAN LION
TUNIS, Tunisia – Military forces from Tunisia and partner nations commenced exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Tunisia, April 22, 2025. This multinational exercise, scheduled through April 30, strengthens military readiness and enhances participating nations’ ability to operate in a complex security environment.
This is Tunisia’s eighth consecutive year serving as a host nation for African Lion, the first of four nations to host events during AL25. Activities in Ghana, Morocco and Senegal will start in May.
"We deeply value our enduring partnership with Tunisia,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Al Alawaj, division chief of exercises for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), the lead planning unit for AL25. “This exercise serves as a critical opportunity to strengthen burden-sharing among allies and partners, enhance U.S. and partner military readiness, and support our overarching strategic objective of defending the homeland by maintaining the capability to respond to threats in complex, austere environments."
While more than 1,700 military personnel will converge in Tunisia, over 10,000 from over 40 countries will participate across all four host nations. In Tunisia alone, NATO allies such as France, Italy and Spain will combine forces with the U.S. and Tunisia during AL25.
Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria and Senegal will also participate in the exercise, highlighting the shared regional security objectives of African nations.
“The foundational partnership and exceptional bilateral cooperation between the United States and Tunisia are what make engagements like AL25 possible,” said Col. Jörn Pung, Defense Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia. “One of only four U.S. major non-NATO allies in Africa, Tunisia makes outstanding contributions to a range of efforts, from regional exercises and training to humanitarian efforts, often made possible through our security relationship and Tunisia’s procurement of U.S. defense articles from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, to C-130 transport aircraft, to Island-Class patrol boats.”
The exercise features a series of rigorous academic sessions, combined arms exercises, and command post simulations designed to test and refine participants' planning and execution capabilities. Instructors facilitate regional cooperation which increases interoperability and multinational response to emerging crises.
The Wyoming National Guard’s 84th Civil Support Team will also showcase its State Partnership Program (SPP) with Tunisia, practicing their ability to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. The Wyoming National Guard’s 21 years of partnership with Tunisia will be on full display in this exercise.
Along with CBRN response, activities include air-to-ground integration, counter improvised explosive device training, as well as the deployment of advanced systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Airborne operations will also be a key component of the exercise, highlighting the rapid deployment capabilities of the 173rd Airborne Brigade with partner forces.
Exercise AL25 in Tunisia will involve a diverse range of U.S. military personnel. Alongside active-duty Soldiers, the training will include representatives from the National Guard, Army Reserve, U.S. Air Force, Marines and Navy, all working together to enhance their joint capabilities.
Additionally, the exercise sharpens U.S. readiness alongside Tunisian, as well as European and other African counterparts, demonstrating a collective commitment to peace through strength.
As the exercise host, Tunisia showcases its position as a regional leader in exporting stability and addressing shared security concerns.
For media inquiries or to request interviews or embed opportunities, contact:
SETAF-AF Public Affairs: SETAF-AF Media Officer
For all photos, videos and news from exercise African Lion, visit the DVIDS African Lion Feature Page.
