African Lion

8:21 AM6/10/2024

VICENZA, Italy — African Lion 24 (AL24), U.S. Africa Command’s premier, annual combined joint exercise conducted by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), concluded on May 31, 2024, in Morocco. AL24 ran from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents.

9:54 PM5/18/2024

TUNIS, Tunisia – Friendly forces identified several enemy four-by-four vehicles and an enemy air defense weapon, considered a high-value target, during the final event of African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tunisia. The decision was made swiftly to engage and neutralize these threats.

9:54 PM5/18/2024

TAMALE, Ghana —African Lion 2024 (AL24) has officially started in Ghana. The Ghana portion of the exercise began on May 13 and runs through May 26.

9:54 PM5/18/2024

ACCRA, Ghana — A team composed of U.S. Army and Air Force medical professionals from the 86th Medical Squadron, Dental Health Activity - Rheinland Pfalz, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, U.S. Army Medical Command and the State Medical Detachment, North Dakota National Guard commenced a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) with the Ghana Armed Forces, May 13. The ceremony marked the beginning of activities that will run until May 31, at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra.

9:54 PM5/18/2024

ACCRA, Ghana — As the tactical communications manager for the Ghana spoke of exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24), U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Fabricio Monterroso, a signal specialist with U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), faced an immense challenge: ensuring seamless communications and connectivity for the hundreds of multinational participants spread across multiple remote Ghanaian training areas.

4:20 PM5/12/2024

TUNIS, Tunisia — U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John LeBlanc visited the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Tunis on May 7, 2024, reflecting on the incredible sacrifices made by U.S. troops in one of the pivotal theaters of World War II.

4:18 PM5/12/2024

BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia – The cultures of the United States and Tunisia differ significantly, from customs and signs of respect to social norms and taboos. In the joint military training environment of African Lion 2024 (AL24), overlooking these societal rules can damage relationships and inadvertently cause incidents.

4:18 PM5/12/2024

GABES, Tunisia – Perched between Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast, most of Tunisia’s northern and eastern borders share a coastline with the Mediterranean Sea. Southern Tunisia extends into the barren landscape of the Sahara desert where water is scarce and sandstorms are frequent.

2:41 PM1/27/2024

VICENZA, Italy – Africa boasts the second largest land mass and population among continents as well as the youngest median age in the world at under 19 years on average. With seven coups over the last three years, the battle for power over African people has made international headlines. Among the more positive groups vying for legitimacy and prominence: women.

11:10 AM6/27/2023

More than two dozen Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s 3-116th Combined Arms Battalion conducted tank gunnery training with members of the Royal Moroccan Army in the Tan Tan Training Area, June 8-10 during Exercise African Lion 2023.

10:49 AM6/14/2023

Serving in the military often requires separation of service members from their families. It’s a rare, special occasion when family members can unite with their service members while overseas.

2:12 PM5/27/2023

BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia—Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 personnel will participate in African Lion 23, U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual combined, joint exercise that will take place in multiple countries to include Tunisia from May 13-June 18, 2023.

4:26 PM5/26/2023

BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia, May 24 - When he initially joined in 2004, 17-year-old Chris Bowling enlisted in the infantry, wanting to serve his country following the tragedy of 9/11. Nineteen years later, U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Bowling reflects on how his career took an unexpected turn when his then mentor joined the 3rd Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, and took him with him.

3:15 PM5/19/2023

African Lion is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier annual exercise. The exercise bolsters interoperability among partner nations and supports U.S. military strategic readiness to respond to crises and contingencies in Africa and around the world.

5:45 PM5/18/2023

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.

3:44 PM2/2/2023

The next step in the year-long process to plan and conduct African Lion 23 concluded last week, here with the completion of the Pre Deployment Site Survey and Mid Planning Event, Jan. 17. The planning event, organized by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa included site visits and assessments at all four locations of the exercise, plus direct in-person planning in multiple locations to ensure all participants and locations are prepared for this large scale global exercise.

3:22 PM6/28/2022

Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers with the 1st Battalion of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment and their counterparts from California, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin are training with the Royal Moroccan Army in the northern Sahara Desert as part of African Lion ’22.

11:57 AM6/28/2022

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, commander of Southern European Task Force, Africa, gears up to jump with fellow Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah Army National Guard, as part of a friendship airborne operation in Grier Labouihi, Morocco, during African Lion 22, on June 19, 2022. Photo by Spc. Mackenzie Willden, U.S. Army National Guard

1:32 PM6/2/2022

Remarks by Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling at the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Army Heritage Month and Birthday Commemoration June 2, 2022 1:06pm Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy

4:22 PM11/10/2021

Military planners gather in Agadir, Morocco, Oct. 28, 2021, to make initial coordination for African Lion 22. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, supported U.S. Africa Command as the lead agent for planning the combatant command's largest annual exercise. U.S. military planners joined partners from Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and elsewhere to discuss initial plans for USAFRICOM's premier exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Chris House.)

10:57 AM6/21/2021

7:21 PM6/18/2021

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)

6:56 PM6/18/2021

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.

6:31 PM6/18/2021

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)

1:14 PM6/17/2021

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)

1:14 PM6/17/2021

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)

1:14 PM6/17/2021

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.)

4:30 PM6/16/2021

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)

1:32 PM6/15/2021

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)

5:54 PM6/14/2021

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)

2:19 PM6/11/2021

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.

6:59 PM6/9/2021

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)

7:52 PM6/7/2021

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)

7:07 PM6/7/2021

African Lion 21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which will employ a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among partner nations and enhance the ability to operate in the African theater of operations.

2:32 PM4/16/2021

Sgt. 1st Class Jovani D’Angella, left, congratulates Staff Sgt. Chief Nuamah and Spc. Isaiah Mathias who received the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Coin of Excellence from Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the USAREUR-AF command sergeant major, at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

2:31 PM4/16/2021

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force tested its capability as an expeditionary joint task force, integrating maritime, air and land components prior to execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. Participants in the SETAF-AF command post exercise were tested three times--before departing home station, during the exercise, prior to redeployment as a mitigation against COVID-19. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

2:31 PM4/16/2021

Staff Sgt. David Valego, right, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, receives the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Coin of Excellence from Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernathy, the USAREUR-AF command sergeant major, for his participation in the SETAF-AF command post exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to the execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

2:30 PM4/16/2021

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command sergeant major, presents the first U.S. Army Europe and Africa coins of excellence to Soldiers who participated in the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Command Post Exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to the execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

2:30 PM4/16/2021

Sgt. George Michalski, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, prepares to receive the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Coin of Excellence from Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the USAREUR-AF command sergeant major, April 15, 2021, at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

2:30 PM4/16/2021

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command sergeant major, presents the first U.S. Army Europe and Africa coins of excellence to Soldiers who participated in the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Command Post Exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to the execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

2:24 PM4/16/2021

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, provides guidance to the SETAF-AF staff during the command post exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 12, 2021. The SETAF-AF command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to execution of African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

2:43 PM2/25/2021

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa commanding general, renders a salute during a wreath laying ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, located near Carthage, Tunisia, Feb. 24, 2021. The ceremony took place during an official visit to Tunis, Tunisia, to meet with U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome and Tunisian partners to reaffirm USAREUR-AF’s and SETAF-Africa’s commitment to security cooperation in North Africa. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy Tunis)

2:26 PM2/25/2021

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, discussed security cooperation with U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome and Tunisian partners during an official visit to Tunis, Tunisia.

4:44 PM2/16/2021

10:12 AM1/29/2021

Capt. Jonathan Paul, right, assigned to the 173rd Brigade (Airborne), explains his unit's training requirements to Moroccan military planners during a site survey in Morocco Jan. 22, 2021, for exercise African Lion 21. Plans for AL21 involve more than 10,000 troops from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and elsewhere. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cain S. Claxton)

10:12 AM1/29/2021

Planners for exercise African Lion 21 survey a small arms weapons range during a visit to Morocco Jan. 20, 2021. Scheduled for June, African Lion, U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise, has increased interoperability among U.S. partners and allies since 2003. Plans for AL21 involve more than 10,000 troops from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and elsewhere. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cain S. Claxton)

10:12 AM1/29/2021

A Royal Moroccan Armed Forces officer explains the capabilities of a firing range Jan. 20, 2021, during a site survey for exercise African Lion 21. Scheduled for June, African Lion, U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise, has increased interoperability among U.S. partners and allies since 2003. Plans for AL21 involve more than 10,000 troops from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and elsewhere. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cain S. Claxton)

10:11 AM1/29/2021

12:00 AM11/13/2020

6:08 PM5/21/2020

Military Sealift Command (MSC) Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Yuma (T-EPF 8) arrived in Koper, Slovenia, May 7. This is the second port visit by an expeditionary fast transport in Koper, the first was from USNS Carson City (T-EPF 7) in Jan. 2020.