African Lion

African Lion is a joint, multi-national exercise in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal linked to U.S. European Command’s DEFENDER series exercise to counter malign activity in North Africa and Southern Europe and increase interoperability with international partners.

African Lion 21, conducted by U.S. Africa Command with allies and African partners in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal and the surrounding seas from June 7-18, seeks to to strengthen U.S. and partner nations capability to promote regional stability and support interoperability.

The African Lion series enhances the interoperability of the U.S., partner nations and regional organizations in order to contain regional instability, conduct peace operations, counter violent extremist organizations, maintain cross-border security and counter transnational threats. The scope of African Lion provides an opportunity for all participating units and nations to enhance readiness by performing their mission essential functions.

African Lion 20 was scheduled to be conducted from March 23-April 3 in the Kingdom of Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and Spain, but was cancelled March 16 due to COVID-19. More info here.

African Lion is led by U.S. Army Africa (also known as Southern European Task Force) as a joint, all-domain, multi-national exercise in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and Ghana linked to U.S. European Command’s DEFENDER series exercise to counter malign activity in North Africa and Southern Europe and increase interoperability between U.S., African, and international partners to defend the theater from adversary military aggression.

Click here for additional African Lion content on DVIDS.

Moroccan, U.S. fighters and refuelers showcase combined capabilities

Two U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, conducted an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) event in Guelmim, Morocco, June 16, 2021.

U.S. Naval Forces Africa ships participate in exercise African Lion

U.S. Sixth Fleet ships, Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), and expeditionary fast transport USNS Trenton (T-EPF-5) are participating in U.S. Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) largest and premier annual exercise African Lion, June 13, 2021.

U.S. Airmen begin African Lion humanitarian efforts

Utah Air National Guard and active duty airmen have partnered with the Moroccan military to provide medical care at a surgical field hospital set up for humanitarian civic assistance during African Lion 2021.

Moroccan, U.S. fighters and refuelers showcase combined capabilities

Two U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, conducted an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) event in Guelmim, Morocco, June 16, 2021.

U.S. Naval Forces Africa ships participate in exercise African Lion

U.S. Airmen begin African Lion humanitarian efforts

Moroccan, U.S. fighters and refuelers showcase combined capabilities

Two U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, conducted an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) event in Guelmim, Morocco, June 16, 2021.

U.S. Naval Forces Africa ships participate in exercise African Lion

U.S. Airmen begin African Lion humanitarian efforts

United States Africa Command

African Lion

African Lion is a joint, multi-national exercise in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal linked to U.S. European Command’s DEFENDER series exercise to counter malign activity in North Africa and Southern Europe and increase interoperability with international partners.