Military Leaders Adjust Scope of Exercise African Lion to Protect Against COVID-19

Military leaders from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal will modify the size and scope of African Lion to minimize exposure of U.S. and partner nation service members to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Mar 10, 2020

View Gallery

Gallery contains 1 image

Military leaders from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal will modify the size and scope of African Lion to minimize exposure of U.S. and partner nation service members to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

"The safety and protection of all of our forces -- U.S. and partner nation -- is a priority. Modifying the exercise still improves readiness while minimizing risk to protect both U.S. and partner forces," said Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command. "While the scope of the exercise will adjust, our commitment to our African partners endures."

Scheduled to start March 23, the exercise will now include only portions that do not require lodging of troops in close quarters. It will also include the academics portion that has already begun.

The decision to modify the size and scale of the exercise was made after several weeks of monitoring the COVID-19 situation and in close coordination with host nation military and government leaders.

"We've made tremendous gains in terms of our partnerships with the Moroccan, Tunisian and Senegalese forces, as well as our ability as a headquarters to forge a coalition across multiple countries, force components, national and international organizations. That experience alone makes our military stronger, and our countries more secure," said Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, commanding general of U.S. Army Africa, which executes the annual exercise.

African Lion 2024: Morocco hosts multinational planning meeting

African Lion, NCO development discussed during visits in Senegal

Medical exercise provides real-world relief to local Moroccans

Bomber Task Force mission supports African Lion 2022 and counter-illicit maritime efforts in Mauritania

Strength in small numbers

African Lion

AFRICOM Commander makes high-level visits to East Africa

Gen. Dagvin Anderson, the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, began the first leg of a series of high-level visits to Africa this week, with stops in Ethiopia and in Somalia’s member states of Somaliland and Puntland.

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on Nov. 25, 2025.

U.S. Africa Command Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Leader Focused on Partnership and Shared Security Interests

Stuttgart, Germany — U.S. Africa Command welcomed Command Sergeant Major Garric M. Banfield as its new Command Senior Enlisted Leader, marking a significant transition at a time of shifting regional dynamics, increased partner-nation coordination, and expanding multinational security cooperation across the African continent.

AFRICOM Commander makes high-level visits to East Africa

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on Nov. 25, 2025.

U.S. Africa Command Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Leader Focused on Partnership and Shared Security Interests

AFRICOM Commander makes high-level visits to East Africa

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on Nov. 25, 2025.

U.S. Africa Command Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Leader Focused on Partnership and Shared Security Interests

United States Africa Command

Military Leaders Adjust Scope of Exercise African Lion to Protect Against COVID-19

Military leaders from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal will modify the size and scope of African Lion to minimize exposure of U.S. and partner nation service members to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

AFRICOM logo news release thumbnail