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Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Gregory salutes Brig. Gen. Luis Sáez Rocandio, Commander, Spanish Airborne Brigade (Brigada Paracaidista – BRIPAC) during the Foreign Wing Exchange Ceremony, July 7, 2021, near Madrid, Spain. (Courtesy Photo by Juan Angel)

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Chantley Kiser, assigned to the USAG Italy Health Care Center, checks a patient during a routine triage, June 24, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Cristina Piosa)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, center, officiates as Col. Michael Kloepper, left, assumes command of the 173rd Airborne Brigade from Col. Kenneth Burgess during a change of command ceremony held at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, June 24, 2021. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. Europe, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.  (U.S. Army photo by Paolo Bovo)

Col. Keith McKinley, Chief of Staff of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, visits Royal Moroccan Forces personnel during the the opening day of Medical Readiness Exercise 21-2 in Agadir, Morocco, June 22, 2021. Medical Readiness Exercises provide a real-world environment where medical professionals from both militaries can build and strengthen medical treatment capability and capacity by honing their medical skills in alternative conditions while also learning different protocols from their counterparts. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Christopher Cameron)

The Commander of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, visited Morocco to attend the closing ceremony of Exercise African Lion 21 and to meet with several African defense leaders June 17-19. Townsend met with senior Moroccan military leaders for outstanding efforts by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in planning and executing African Lion 2021; Senegal’s Chief of Defense Staff to thank the nation’s efforts as a security leader in West Africa and for hosting and participating in multiple U.S. Africa Command exercises; and Libyan leaders to stress foreign forces need to withdraw from Libya and discuss opportunities for greater military cooperation with the United States.

The Commander of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, visited Morocco to attend the closing ceremony of Exercise African Lion 21 and to meet with several African defense leaders June 17-19. Townsend met with senior Moroccan military leaders for outstanding efforts by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in planning and executing African Lion 2021; Senegal’s Chief of Defense Staff to thank the nation’s efforts as a security leader in West Africa and for hosting and participating in multiple U.S. Africa Command exercises; and Libyan leaders to stress foreign forces need to withdraw from Libya and discuss opportunities for greater military cooperation with the United States.

African Lion 21, held from June 7-18, 2021, in Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, concludes. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, Joint, annual exercise. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants.

African Lion 21, held from June 7-18, 2021, in Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, concludes. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, Joint, annual exercise. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants.

Senegal military members treat a simulated casualty from a chemical attack during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense demonstration hosted by the Moroccan and Senegalese militaries June 15, 2021, in Agadir, Morocco, during African Lion 2021. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, Joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Casey Dinnison)

Members of USS Hershel "Woody" Williams welcome aboard Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, for a tour of the vessel at the Agadir Commercial Port in Agadir, Morocco, June 11, 2021, during a key leader engagement for exercise African Lion. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants.

U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah Army National Guard participating in African Lion 2021 conduct fast rope training onto a rooftop building during a night training event at Tifnit, Morocco on June 15, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jacob Jesperson)

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 17rd Airborne Brigade, presents the U.S. Army Parachutist Badge to a Royal Moroccan Army paratrooper during a wing exchange on the Grier Labouie Airbase in Morocco, June 13, 2021. Africa Lion 21 began with U.S. and Moroccan paratroopers conducting an airborne jump into Morocco. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Adrian Pacheco)

U.S. Georgia Army National Guardsman Cpl. Michael Lawson, assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, loads a magazine prior to a night fire training exercise at African Lion 2021 in Tan-Tan, Morocco, June 13, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathan Smith)

U.S. Georgia Army National Guardsman Spc. Gabriel Mitchell, assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, observes his target down range at African Lion 2021 in Tan-Tan, Morocco, June 13, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathan Smith)

Soldiers in a U.S. Army M109A6 Paladin howitzer with the Ellenwood-based Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery, 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard, observe fired artillery rounds during African Lion 2021, at the Tan Tan Training Area, Morocco, June 13, 2021. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.J. Lannom Jr.)

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the Able Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade, lay down suppressive fire while assaulting an objective during Africa Lion 21, on Grier Labouie Airbase, Morocco, June 10, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Adrian Pacheco)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Royal Moroccan Army fast-rope out of a CH-47 Chinook in Tifnit, Morocco, June 14, 2021. Africa Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, June 7-18. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together, enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. Africa Lion 21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission and capabilities to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brendan Nunez)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ethan Pratt with Alpha Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, conducts live fire training with Senegalese soldiers at exercise African Lion 21 June 11, 2021, in Tan Tan, Morocco. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal June 7-18. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brandon Malcolm)

Brig. Gen. Ronald A. Cupples

U.S. and Moroccan service members provide medical care to Moroccan citizens at the Military Medical Surgical Field Hospital in Tafraoute, Morocco, during the humanitarian civic assistance portion of African Lion21.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Rolando De Luna, a medical provider, watches as a Moroccan medic examines a patient at the Military Medical Surgical Field Hospital in Tafraoute, Morocco, during the African Lion exercise June 7, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Colton Elliott)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, and Moroccan Army Général d'armée Belkhir El Farouk, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces Southern Zone commander, enter the Rehearsal of Concept Drill for African Lion, Agadir Morocco, June 7, 2021. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, Joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jared Kindlespire)

U.S. and Italian army senior leaders from the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and U.S. Army Garrison Italy conducted a staff ride visit to the World War I Monte Grappa battlefield in Veneto, Italy, May 24, 2021. The event included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Military Memorial of Monte Grappa in Crespano del Grappa. The event increased leaders’ knowledge of a significant site in Italy’s WWI defense against advancing Austrian troops, and strengthened the U.S. Army’s longstanding alliance with Italy. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jake Forrey)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, right; Col. Michele Biasiutti, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy senior Italian officer, left; and Italian military members talk after the Vicenza Republic Day celebration in Piazza dei Signori in downtown Vicenza, Italy, June 2, 2021. This year marks the 75th Italian Republic Day, or Festa della Repubblica, which signifies when the country voted by referendum in favor of the republican form of government and Italy became a republic following World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Cavins)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, and Col. Michele Biasiutti, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy senior Italian officer, attended Vicenza’s Republic Day celebration, or Festa della Repubblica, in Piazza dei Signori in downtown Vicenza, Italy, June 2, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Cavins)

An Italian man displays the Province of Vicenza banner during Vicenza’s Republic Day celebration, or Festa della Repubblica, in Piazza dei Signori in downtown Vicenza, Italy, June 2, 2021. Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, and Col. Michele Biasiutti, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy senior Italian officer, were in attendance with local Italian leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Cavins)

Brig. Gen. Aida T. Borras, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa deputy commanding general, addresses participants during a Memorial Day ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia, on May 31, 2021. The ceremony honored the more than 2,800 U.S. service members who were laid to rest in the cemetery and more than 3,700 whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy in Tunisia)

U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Donald Blome addresses participants during a Memorial Day ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia, on May 31, 2021. The ceremony honored the more than 2,800 U.S. service members who were laid to rest in the cemetery and more than 3,700 whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy in Tunisia)

Brig. Gen. Aida T. Borras, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa deputy commanding general, salutes during a Memorial Day ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia, on May 31, 2021. The ceremony honored the more than 2,800 U.S. service members who were laid to rest in the cemetery and more than 3,700 whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy in Tunisia)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Issaka Guebre, a combat medic with Civil Affairs East Africa Southern European Task Force (CA-EA SETAF), in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), receives a coin during the French Desert Commando Course graduation at Le centre d'entraînement au combat de Djibouti (CECAD) in Arta Plage, Djibouti, May 10, 2021. Guebre was coined for his excellent work as a translator and medic during the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa Sterling)

Logisticians and Transporters from the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation BDE (SDDC) and Southern European Task Force-Africa, worked together at the port in Livorno, Italy, May 20, 2021, to upload the Military Sealift Command Vessel, USNS Trenton. The equipment will transit from the Livorno port to Agadir, Morocco in support of exercise African Lion 21. (U.S. Army video by Vincenzo Vitiello)

Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Gregory, the Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, dialogues with 1Lgt. (Primo Lugotenente) Antonino Pellegrino, the newly (and first ever) appointed Sergeant Major of the Italian Army, in Rome, Italy, May 13. Gregory was the first command senior enlisted leader to to visit Pellegrino since he was selected for the position. (Courtesy Photo)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, left, and Col. Ed Williams, the SETAF-AF Security Cooperation Directorate director, discuss challenges and opportunities focused on this year’s African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) theme: “Maintaining Security in a Degraded Environment” with African land force commanders and senior enlisted leaders during a regional breakout session at the 2021 ALFS at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, May 19, 2021. This year, taking into consideration travel limitations and the safety of country delegations, ALFS was a virtual event. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Meleesa Gutierrez)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, left, and SETAF-AF Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Gregory Jr., right, discuss challenges and opportunities focused on this year’s African Land Forces Summit theme: “Maintaining Security in a Degraded Environment” with African land force commanders and senior enlisted leaders during a regional breakout session at the 2021 ALFS at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, May 19, 2021. This year, taking into consideration travel limitations and the safety of country delegations, ALFS was a virtual event. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Meleesa Gutierrez)

Brig. Gen. Aida T. Borras

Since 2010, the African Land Forces Summit has been of great importance in building partnerships with African Land Force chiefs and discuss security concerns. This year, taking into consideration travel limitations and the safety of country delegations, the U.S. Army is utilizing a widely accepted communication technology to host the ninth annual ALFS on May 19. Gathered together into smaller, regionally focused groups, land force leaders – including land chiefs and senior enlisted leaders – from across the African continent will discuss challenges and opportunities focused on this year’s ALFS theme: “Maintaining Security in a Degraded Environment.”

A U.S. Soldier from 173rd Airborne Brigade pulls security for his squad after a nighttime airborne assault from Hungary into Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria as part of Swift Response 21, Cheshnigirovo, Bulgaria, 11 May, 2021. Swift Response 21 is a linked exercise of DEFENDER-Europe 21, which involves special operations activities, air assaults, and live-fire exercises in Estonia, Bulgaria, and Romania, demonstrating airborne interoperability among NATO allies. 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 more than a dozen countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region. Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21, visit www.EuropeAfrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (US Army photo by Kevin Sterling Payne)

Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, Commander, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, visits the Senegalese Partnership Garden at the Senegalese Joint Force Headquarters with the Senegal Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Cheikh Wade during a diplomatic engagement to Dakar, April 21. Cavoli visited Senegal from April 19-21, to conduct engagements with Senegal’s chief of the general staff, and officials from French elements in Senegal, as well as with the U.S. Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. (Photo by Fareed Abdullah, U.S. Embassy Dakar)

Why I Serve: “I joined the Army to make a difference for this country while fighting for it. I continue to serve to protect the health of the men and women of this country and to emphasize preventive medicine to conserve the fighting force.” -- Capt. Leyla Kosakowski, a 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade environmental science and engineering officer (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Kymberley Jurado)

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander, center, and Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, third from right, accompanied by staff and the U.S. Embassy country team, greet Gen. Seydou Badje, the Niger Armed Forces chief of staff, April 21,2021 at Airbase 101 in Niamey, Niger. (U.S. State Dept. photo by CW2 Kory Dannerfrank)