ATLANTIC OCEAN (JUNE 13, 2021) The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Trenton (T-EPF-5), left, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rose (DDG 71), center, and the Moroccan navy Sigma class frigate Allal Ben Abdellah (615), sail in formation to kick off exercise African Lion 2021 with the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Atlantic Ocean, June 13, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’ 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (JUNE 13, 2021) The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Trenton (T-EPF-5), front, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rose (DDG 71), center, and the Moroccan navy Sigma class frigate Allal Ben Abdellah (615), sail in formation to kick off exercise African Lion 2021 with the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Atlantic Ocean, June 13, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’ 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

AGADIR, Morocco (JUNE 11, 2021) U.S. Army Major General Andrew Rohling, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander and the U.S. Army Europe and Africa deputy commanding general, participates in a tour of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in Agadir, Morocco, June 11, 2021 during African Lion 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’ 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

AGADIR, Morocco (JUNE 11, 2021) as part of African Lion 2021, Capt. Michael Concannon, commanding officer, Gold crew, center, leads a tour of the ship to U.S. Army and Moroccan armed forces personnel aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in Agadir, Morocco, June 11, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’ 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

AGADIR, Morocco (JUNE 10, 2021) U.S. Army Colonel Sean Dillon, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa public affairs officer, center, receives a tour from Capt. Michael Concannon, commanding officer, left, and Cmdr. Omari Buckley, executive officer of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in Agadir, Morocco, June 10, 2021. Hershel “Woody” Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kate Ovington, a physician assistant with the 113th Medical Group, performs an examination at the military field hospital on June 7, 2021 in Tafraoute, Morocco during African Lion 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, null-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. Annie Edwards).

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kimberly Hegeman, a nurse with the 151st Medical Group, gives a sticker to a child visiting the pediatric section of the military field hospital on June 7, 2021 in Tafraoute, Morocco during African Lion 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, null-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. Annie Edwards).

U.S. Air Force Maj. Soliman Yaqub, a physician with the 151st Medical DET-1, examines a patient in the cardiology section of the military field hospital on June 7, 2021 in Tafraoute, Morocco during African Lion 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, null-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. Annie Edwards).

The trip occurred during a critical time for Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as both countries navigate paths toward democracy and civilian-led governments. Engagements renewed partnerships between the U.S. and these African nations and provided opportunities to discuss commonalities, shared values, pursue mutual interests, and strengthen the regional capacity of these nations to address security challenges.

U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard and Royal Moroccan Army Soldiers conduct a combined small arms range during African Lion 2021 in Tifnit, Morocco, June 8, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, 7-18 June.

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 Lion 21.

U.S. Army Georgia Army National Guardsmen train with Royal Moroccan Armed Forces members at the Tan Tan Training Area, Morocco, June 11, 2021. 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. strengthen interoperability among participants.

A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off out of Morón Air Base, Spain to fly over the continent of Africa in support of Bomber Task Force Europe June 9, 2021. U.S. Strategic Command forces are on watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deter and defeat strategic attack against the U.S. and our allies with conventional and nuclear capabilities.

U.S. Army Sgt. Wilnelia Moralez, a medic with Civil Affairs East Africa (CA-EA), a forward deployed element of Southern European Task Force - Africa (SETAF-AF) and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), speaks to a student about her experience learning English as a second language during an English discussion group at Sunny Hill Hospitality School, Arta, May 20, 2021. The discussion groups aren’t purely about education; it is also a chance for military members and Djiboutian locals to learn about each other on a personal level by sharing similarities and differences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan L. Brown)

U.S. Soldiers with Civil Affairs East Africa (CA-EA), a forward deployed element of Southern European Task Force - Africa (SETAF-AF) and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and students from the American Corner stand together for a picture after completing the English Discussion Group at Djibouti City, Djibouti, May 25, 2021. The Civil Affairs soldiers concluded the final EDG courses with the American Corner students and presented them with certificates for completing the discussion groups. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan L. Brown)

U.S. Soldiers with Civil Affairs East Africa (CA-EA), a forward deployed element of Southern European Task Force - Africa (SETAF-AF) and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and students from the Sunny Hill Hospitality School stand together for a picture after completing the English Discussion Group at Arta, May 20, 2021. CA-EA soldiers helped create an environment that encouraged continued learning and potential economic growth in local communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan L. Brown)

U.S. Soldiers with Civil Affairs East Africa (CA-EA), a forward deployed element of Southern European Task Force - Africa (SETAF-AF) and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), present English discussion group certificates to students at the Sunny Hill Hospitality School, Arta, May 20, 2021. More than 60 members from the community participated in the group discussions, improving their English speaking and comprehension skills by interacting with native speakers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan L. Brown)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, Commander U.S. Army Southern European Task Force Africa, and Moroccan Army Général d'armée Belkhir El Farouk, 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. Air Force combat aviation advisors assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command and Kenyan Air Force aircrews and Rapid Response Units conduct personnel recovery training on Moi Air Base, Kenya, May 12, 2021. The U.S. Air Force provided training in C-145 Skytruck flight and maintenance operations, as well as combat and survival training.

U.S. Air Force combat aviation advisors assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command showcase Kenya’s newly acquired C-145 Skytruck to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kenyan officials in Nairobi, Kenya, May 12, 2021. The U.S. Air Force provided training in C-145 Skytruck flight and maintenance operations, as well as combat and survival training.

The engagement enabled a fully-trained flying crew - to include pilots, loadmasters, riggers and mechanics - proficient in operating and maintaining the C-145.

Nigerien and U.S. Civil Affairs teams from Airbase 201 partnered to deliver humanitarian aid to the citizens of Beital, Niger, 30 km north of Agadez on May 18, 2021. The donation consisted of 3,000 kilograms of rice, 120 mats, and 120 buckets.

Tunisian Minister of National Defence, Brahim Bertégi, gives remarks at the closing ceremony for exercise Phoenix Express 2021 in Tunis, Tunisia, May 28,2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean.

The Honorable Donald Blome, U.S. ambassador to Tunisia, speaks at the closing ceremony for exercise Phoenix Express 2021 in Tunis, Tunisia, May 28,2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean.

Rear Adm. Kevin Jones, director, Logistics Directorate, J-4, U.S. Africa Command gives remarks at the closing ceremony for exercise Phoenix Express 2021 in Tunis, Tunisia, May 28,2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean.

Rear Adm. Jeffrey Spivey, director, maritime partnership program, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, gives remarks at the closing ceremony for exercise Phoenix Express 2021 in Tunis, Tunisia, May 28,2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean.

Tunisian Minister of National Defence Brahim Bertégi arrives at the closing ceremony for exercise Phoenix Express 2021 in Tunis, Tunisia, May 28,2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 23, 2021) A member of the Tunisian navy visit, board, search and seizure team climbs down a Jacobs ladder while participating in Exercise Phoenix Express 2021 aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 23, 2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 23, 2021) Members of the Tunisian navy visit, board, search and seizure team practice securing simulated hostile mariners while participating in Exercise Phoenix Express 2021 aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 23, 2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 23, 2021) Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel Layug prepares to tie a sea painter line in order to launch a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) as they begin to participate in Exercise Phoenix Express 2021 aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 23, 2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 23, 2021) Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Bodee Coffman prepares to launch a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) as they begin to participate in Exercise Phoenix Express 2021 aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 23, 2021. Exercise Phoenix Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/Released)

Kyle Burns, Homeland Security Investigations supervisory special agent and senior liaison to U.S. Africa Command, presents during the legal portion of the exercise Phoenix Express 2021 hosted by Tunisia from May 17-28, 2021. The session touched on tactics used by the U.S. agencies during smuggling seizures. Exercise Phoenix Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean.

Daniel Baldwin, Drug Enforcement Agency supervisory special agent and liaison to U.S. Africa Command, presents during the legal portion of the exercise Phoenix Express 2021 hosted by Tunisia from May 17-28, 2021. The session touched on tactics used by the U.S. agencies during smuggling seizures. Exercise Phoenix Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean.

A French Mirage 2000-5 refuels from a U.S. Marine KC-130J during a joint training in Djibouti, May 24, 2021. The partner forces conducted a joint interoperability training to enhance their capabilities and demonstrate their shared commitment to stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)

French Air Force Brig. Gen. Stéphane Dupont, center, the commander of French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ), listens as U.S. Marine Cpl. Taylor Athey, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), describes how to don a harness aboard a KC-130J Super Hercules in Djibouti, May 24, 2021. The partner forces completed air-to-air refueling and flew an escort mission with a simulated aggressor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)

French Air Force Col. Olivier Saunier, the commander of the French Air Base in Djibouti, overlooks Djibouti aboard a U.S. Marine KC-130J Super Hercules, May 24, 2021. Saunier commands roughly 800 airmen and controls assets including the Mirage fighter aircraft, Puma helicopter and a tactical transport aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)

French Air Force Brig. Gen. Stéphane Dupont, the commander of French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ), and French Marine Col. Patrick Lamiral, the chief of staff of FFDJ, are photographed in the cockpit of a KC-130J Super Hercules at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2021. U.S. and French forces conducted a joint interoperability training to enhance their capabilities and demonstrate their shared commitment to stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and French forces in Djibouti leadership board a U.S. Marine KC-130J Super Hercules at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2021. The partner forces conducted a joint interoperability training to enhance their capabilities and demonstrate their shared commitment to stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)