African Lion 25: U.S.-led Military Exercise Begins in Four Nations
African Lion 2024 Wraps Up After Multinational Training Exercise
African Lion 2024, a large-scale, multinational military exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), concluded May 31 after taking place across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. The exercise, which marked its 20th anniversary, involved over 8,100 participants from 27 nations, including NATO contingents.
Airborne Operations and Special Forces Training
The exercise included a wide array of training scenarios,from airborne operations to specialized drills.Paratroopers from the Utah National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 9th Psychological Operations Battalion,along with members of the Moroccan royal Armed forces’ 2e Brigade d’infanterie Parachutiste (2e BIP),conducted combined airborne operations near Ben Guerir,Morocco.
Tunnel Warfare and Advanced Technology
Near Tifnit, Morocco, participating forces engaged in tunnel warfare exercises, incorporating advanced technology such as remotely controlled Micro Tactical Ground Robots. The training encompassed subterranean warfare, psychological operations, building clearing, combined assaults, fast-rope insertion, rappelling, and hostage rescue scenarios.
Humanitarian Aid and State Partnership Program
In Tata, Morocco, the Utah National Guard, through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program, partnered with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces to conduct a humanitarian civic assistance mission. U.S. Army Capt. Spencer Cline, a family medicine physician with the State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment (MRD), Utah National Guard, provided medical services to local civilians.
The humanitarian mission aimed to provide medical care to populations with limited access while enhancing the operational readiness of participating service members. the Utah National Guard has maintained a partnership with Morocco through the State Partnership Program as 2003.
African Lion 2024: U.S.Military Engages in Joint Exercises Across Africa
African Lion 2024, U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise,concluded May 31 after spanning multiple nations and involving thousands of participants. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), the exercise took place across ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, marking its 20th anniversary.
Humanitarian Efforts in Morocco
As part of African Lion 2024, the Utah National Guard partnered with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces to conduct humanitarian civic assistance in tata, Morocco. U.S. Army Capt. Spencer Cline, a family medicine physician with the State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment, Utah National Guard, provided medical care to local Moroccan patients. This initiative, which began in 2003 through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program, aimed to improve the operational readiness of participating service members while delivering essential medical services to communities with limited access to care.
New York National Guard Participation
In Tantan, Morocco, the New York Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, also participated in African Lion. U.S. Army Spc. Frances Burnett, a unit supply specialist, was photographed holding the battalion’s colors during a formation of soldiers.
Civil Affairs Training in Ghana
In Tamale, Ghana, U.S. Army Soldiers and marines conducted a civil military operations course with the Ghana Armed forces.This training aimed to enhance readiness and interoperability between the U.S. and its partner nation forces.
Communications Support in Senegal
The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) played a crucial role in bolstering tactical communication capabilities in Dodji, Senegal. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class justin Feese, a maintenance advisor, and staff Sgt. Devin Sasser, a network communications systems specialist, assembled a microwave satellite terminal to support the exercise.The 2nd SFAB is currently in Senegal as part of a nine-month rotation to advise the Armed Forces of Senegal.
Exercise Overview
African Lion 2024 involved over 8,100 participants from 27 nations, including NATO contingents. The exercise, which ran from April 19 to May 31, focused on enhancing readiness between the U.S.and partner nation forces.
U.S.Army capt. Spencer cline, a family medicine physician with the State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment, Utah National Guard, examines a Moroccan patient during African Lion 2024 in Tata, Morocco, May 23, 2024. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Trevor rapp)
U.S. Army Spc. Frances Burnett, a unit supply specialist with the New York Army National Guard, holds the battalion’s colors during exercise African Lion in Tantan, Morocco, May 30, 2024. (U.S. Army photo by Avery Schneider)
U.S. Army Soldiers and Marines pose with Ghana Armed Forces soldiers after completing a civil military operations course during African Lion 2024 in Tamale,Ghana,May 21,2024.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo)
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Justin Feese and Staff Sgt. Devin sasser assemble a microwave satellite terminal to support exercise African Lion 2024 in Dodji, Senegal, May 27, 2024. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. De la Pena)
African Lion 2025: Largest U.S. Africa Command Exercise to Date
An Armed Forces of Senegal soldier fires a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during African Lion 2024 in Dodji, Senegal, May 23, 2024. U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt.1st Class Nicholas J. De La Pena.
(Credit photo: Nicholas J. de la Pena)
An Armed Forces of Senegal soldier fires a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon while Maryland National Guardsman Sgt. Mathew Angell serves as a range safety officer during African Lion 2024 in Dodji, Senegal, May 23, 2024. U.S. army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. De La Pena.
(Credit photo: Nicholas J. de la Pena)
VICENZA, Italy – African Lion 2025, U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual joint exercise, is set to commence April 14, 2025, in Tunisia, with activities extending into Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco throughout May. This year marks the largest iteration in the exercise’s history,with over 10,000 personnel participating from more then 40 nations,including seven NATO allies.
Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), African Lion 2025 aims to bolster interoperability, enhance military readiness, and cultivate strategic partnerships through realistic training across multiple domains.The exercise will encompass land,air,maritime,space,and cyber operations,all contributing to the shared objective of promoting security and stability within the African continent.
Strategic Readiness and Interoperability
“African Lion 25 is AFRICOM’s largest multinational, combined joint exercise in Africa,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general, SETAF-AF. ”it demonstrates the capabilities of the total force by building strategic readiness and interoperability with our african partners and allies to deploy, fight, and win in a complex multi-domain environment.”
Key Exercise Components
The exercise will feature a range of core events, including field training exercises, airborne and amphibious operations, special operations forces activities, HIMARS Rapid Insertion (HIRAIN) drills, humanitarian civic assistance projects, and medical readiness engagements. Integrated cyber defense training and evaluations of next-generation systems, such as the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), are among the new capabilities being tested.
International Participation
A diverse array of nations are participating in African Lion 2025, including Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, mauritania, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. Algeria, Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, equatorial guinea, India, Qatar, Republic of Congo, and Turkey will participate as observers, highlighting the widespread interest in fostering regional military cooperation.
A History of Cooperation
Since its inception in 2004, African Lion has evolved into the U.S.military’s most prominent exercise in Africa.this year’s activities underscore the U.S. commitment to long-term partnerships and demonstrate the ability to respond to crises and deter threats by promoting peace through strength.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, interview requests, or embed opportunities, please contact SETAF-AF Public affairs at setaf_pao@army.mil.
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About African lion
African Lion 25 is U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force,Africa (SETAF-AF),that strengthens the U.S.military’s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward, and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, African Lion 25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach, and fosters innovative solutions.
About SETAF-AF
SETAF-AF provides U.S.Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.
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