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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Sergeant Samantha Miller, a dental technician and member of the Utah Army National Guard, takes a dental x-ray on a boy during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
A Royal Moroccan Armed Forces paratrooper receives a U.S. Air Force 37th Airlift Squadron patch from a 37th AS loadmaster, during Exercise African Lion 18, April 16, 2018 at Rabat Airfield, Morocco. African Lion is a combined multilateral exercise designed to improve mutual understanding of each nations' tactics, techniques and procedures while demonstrating the strong bond between the nations' militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nesha Humes Stanton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nesha Stanton
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Participants of Exercise African Lion 2018 demonstrate tactics, techniques, and procedures from the past two weeks of field training exercises to distinguished visitors in Tifnit, Morocco, April 26th, 2018. African Lion is an annually-scheduled joint training with participants from 15 countries. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Averi Coppa/Released)
Photo by: Sgt. Averi Coppa
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Air Force Maj.Gen. Mark Camerer, director of logistics for U.S. Africa Command, and other distinguished guests of Exercise African Lion 2018 gather during a distinguished visitor tour in Tifnit, Morocco, April 26, 2018. Marines and members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces demonstrated tactics, techniques, and procedures from the past two weeks of field training exercises to the distinguished visitors. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a continuation of the U.S. and Morocco’s long-standing relationship focused on security cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Averi Coppa/Released)
Photo by: Sgt. Averi Coppa
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
U.S. Marines and Tunisian soldiers participating in Exercise African Lion 2018 demonstrate skills learned during their field training exercise for a distinguished visitor tour delegation in Tifnit, Morocco, April 26, 2018. Exercise African Lion is a continuation of the U.S. and Morocco’s long-standing relationship focused on security cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Averi Coppa/Released)
Photo by: Sgt. Averi Coppa
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
A Royal Moroccan Armed Forces paratrooper prepares for a personnel drop during Exercise African Lion 18, April 16, 2018 near Kenitra Air Base. Approximately 900 U.S. military personnel have arrived in the Kingdom of Morocco to join nearly 400 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces to take part in Exercise African Lion 18. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nesha Humes Stanton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nesha Stanton
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kyle Volentine, 435 Contingency Response Group jumpmaster, high-fives Airmen, Soldiers and Royal Moroccan Armed Forces paratroopers April 16, 2018 at Rabat Airfield, Morocco. Members boarded a C-130J Super Hercules to conduct a personnel drop during Exercise African Lion 18; Members work to promote regional cooperation and to strengthen the ability of our militaries to work together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nesha Humes Stanton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nesha Stanton
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Air Force Maj.Gen. Mark Camerer, director of logistics for U.S. Africa Command, and other distinguished guests shakes hands with British Col. Dom Watson, British 4th Rifles commander, during Exercise African Lion 2018 distinguished visitor tour in Tifnit, Morocco, April 26, 2018. Marines, British soldiers and members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces demonstrated tactics, techniques, and procedures from the past two weeks of field training exercises. Exercise African Lion is a continuation of the U.S. and Morocco’s long-standing relationship focused on security cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Averi Coppa/Released)
Photo by: Sgt. Averi Coppa
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Children playing while waiting for medical services during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 25, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Moroccan women and young girls wait in the shade for dental services during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Two girls waiting for dental services during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Moroccan 1stLt. Hamza Layat, a pharmacist and member of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, provides aid to a girl after a having a dental procedure during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 25, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Capt. Justin Couraud, a dentist, and SSgt. Kurt Peters, a dental technician, both members of the Utah Army National Guard, work on a woman during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Staff Sergeant Michele Johnson, a patient administration technician with Utah Army National Guard, organizes the pharmacy during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 25, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Major Jason Patten, a physician with Colorado Air National Guard, works on a man in the dermatology tent, as 1st Lt. FIRST NAME Wright, a physician’s assistant, and Spc. Ashley Ewell, a medic, both members of the Utah Army National Guard, assist with the procedure during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Moroccan Capt. Abdelilah Radi, a pediatrician with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, checks the heart of a girl during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Brigadier General Thomas Fisher, commander of Land Component Command for the Utah Army National Guard, visits the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 25, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
A member of Moroccan Royal Armed Forces assists two women during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Moroccan Men waiting for surgical services during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 25, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
A Moroccan woman poses for a photo after receiving her medication from the pharmacy during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 25, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Brigadier General Thomas Fisher, commander of Land Component Command for the Utah Army National Guard, visits the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 25, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
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African Lion 2018 wraps up in Morocco
Major Samantha Madsen, a planner for the Utah Army National Guard, poses for a picture with Moroccan women and young girls waiting for dental services during the Humanitarian Civic Assistance component of Exercise African Lion 2018 in Bounaamane, Morocco, April 24, 2018. Exercise African Lion 2018 is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Morocco. African Lion offers an opportunity to improve interoperability and cooperation while demonstrating the strong military bond that exists between the participating nations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Samantha Madsen)
Photo by: Maj. Samantha Madsen
KENITRA AIR BASE, Morocco - Exercise African Lion 2018 has concluded, and approximately 900 U.S. service members redeployed from Morocco and Tunisia.
The exercise involved various types of training across the Moroccan coastline, including an Aviation Training Exercise supported by Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, and Soldiers from the 5th Quartermaster and the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
“Ensuring familiarity with integration of operations and progressing mutual national interests is key to our worldwide capabilities and their effectiveness,” said Capt. Josh Kelsey, 37th Airlift Squadron pilot and African Lion 2018 deputy mission commander. “We’re working through the mechanics of integrating all of our operations so that if the time comes, we stand united against the threat.”
Throughout the two-week performance, service members conducted low-level mountain flying, aeromedical evacuation training, combat off-load and on-loads, 81 joint-personnel drops, 21 low-cost/low-altitude parachute drops, 19 dirt landings, 18 free-fall parabundle drops, and 12 emergency aircraft egress landings.
The team took on U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa’s first drop of the newly updated Joint Precision Airdrop System using an attached Modular Autonomous Guidance Unit to GPS guide its cargo directly onto its target.
Aircrew dropped six bundles from a high altitude and all landed safely within meters of the desired target. This demonstrated the accuracy of the new system and a significant proof of concept for both the Army and the Air Force.
Additionally, this was also the first time the 37 AS routinely landed on a freshly surveyed, completely bare, unimproved dirt field.
“It just showed the capability of our Wing to start from scratch on a dirt field, survey, determine suitability, and land a C-130J there,” said Capt. Laura K. Martineau, 37 AS pilot and African Lion 2018 mission commander.
Additionally, the Atlas Mountains presented the 37 AS pilots with some great low-level performance challenges, Martineau explained. The higher the pressure altitude, the more difficult it is to climb and crossover ridge lines.
“Our training prepares us to ingress into a joint forcible entry-type situation and drop a considerable amount of personnel at once,” Martineau continued. “The Moroccans have also been observing procedures in-flight; it’s been incredible training for everyone involved.”
In light of today’s political and security environment, it is more important than ever to collaborate effectively and promote mutual understanding of international security.
By working in sync for the past two weeks, the U.S. military and Moroccan Royal Armed Forces strengthened interoperability and further developed tactics, techniques, and procedures of participating nations to counter violent extremist organizations.
“When we have competent partners ready to aid in maintaining all of our freedoms, posturing against today’s security threats becomes exponentially easier,” Kelsey said. “It’s about building partnership capacity with cooperative nations.”
The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes Morocco’s role as a strong and stable partner in North Africa and their contributions to the counter-ISIL mission.
In this year’s iteration of African Lion, countries included Burkina Faso, Canada, Chad, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Spain, Tunisia, and U.K. in addition to the U.S. and Morocco.
Through our African Lion partnership, the DoD looks to support Morocco’s efforts to modernize their forces and defeat violent extremist organizations’ attempts to gain influence in Morocco.
“We’re making sure we are building relationships that last beyond our current stay here,” Kelsey said. “We’re laying down the groundwork for efforts to come.”
