On Friday in Tan-Tan, Morocco, African Lion 2023 came to an end with a series of realistic battle exercises. Coordinated airstrikes by Moroccan and American planes, as well as land maneuvers that simulated war operations, were all part of the exercises.

The new Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mohamed Berrid, and Lieutenant General Michael Langley, the commander of the American military command in Africa (AFRICOM), watched two Royal Air Force F-16 fighter jets display high-speed and low-altitude aerial maneuvers as the closing ceremony got underway.

The participation of the American “B1B” strategic bomber aircraft, which flew alongside the Moroccan F-16 squadrons, was the highlight of the aerial operations. The B1B was used for the first time during the joint maneuvers of “African Lion.” It is noted for its ability to carry a variety of long-range weaponry and execute stealthy low-altitude flights.

During the drill, Moroccan and American soldiers demonstrated how its main function is to support infantry and armored force ground assaults.

Armoured personnel carriers and modern Abrams tanks from Moroccan and US ground forces participated in the field maneuvers. These training sessions included activities including heavy artillery shell shooting, accurate targeting of enemy locations, and infantry maneuvers utilizing armored vehicles.

Military engineering troops participated in the exercises as well, using vehicles to cut through obstructions and detonate them with explosives. Partner forces were able to move forward safely and execute attack and counterattack missions thanks to these actions.

Military authorities and representatives from the participating and watching nations applauded the maneuvers. The Moroccan and American military representatives were led by Lieutenant General Mohamed Berrid and the Commander of AFRICOM forces.

Read Also: African Lion 2023: Moroccan-US Airdrop maneuvers

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As part of the 19th iteration of the “African Lion” exercise, aircraft from the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the US Armed Forces performed airdrop maneuvers at the Benguerir military installation on Saturday.

Aircraft from the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the US Armed Forces carried out a series of mass airdrop operations on the drop zone after the airdrop of a batch of military equipment that had been conditioned by Moroccan and American executives at the Kenitra air base, with the execution, once the aircraft had landed, of a ground maneuver intended to carry out the assigned mission.

In order to strengthen operational interoperability and encourage joint action, paratroopers from the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the US Armed Forces conducted an airdrop exercise as part of the 19th iteration of the “African Lion” exercise, according to Major Mohamed El Kouiti of the 2nd Parachute Infantry Brigade at the Benguerir military base.

El Kouiti added that during this collaborative airdrop operation, military officers from both armies engaged in a tactical drill to show off their proficiency in a variety of cooperative exercises.

The combined joint operation, which included 240 Moroccan and American paratroopers, provided the training, according to Lieutenant-Colonel John Staeheli, Battalion Commander of U.S. Forces Africa’s Southern Europe Task Force (SETAF). He said that in the modern battlefield, “we need to fight and win” together.

He reaffirmed that the US Army is dedicated to “maintaining strong relationships with our allies and partners” and mentioned Morocco as one of our oldest and closest allies. He continued, “Friendship between the two nations dates back to the very proclamation of the United States.”

In a statement, Staeheli stressed that the African Lion exercise is an example of the long-standing security partnership between the United States of America and Morocco. He also stated that he is more certain than ever that “we are stronger when we are together.”

The primary goals of these exercises are to enhance the force projection capabilities of the Royal Armed Forces and the US Forces by coordinating tactical, technical, and logistical operations from planning to execution in the field.

This entails, among other things, establishing a joint operational center to keep track of the different circumstances and airborne maneuvers, combining efforts, especially in terms of air and medical logistics, performing combined load conditioning and splitting the airborne echelon and its complement, and coordinating strategies for grounding and maneuvering on the ground.

The Royal Armed Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces jointly organize the exercise “African Lion” every year.

“African Lion 2023,” which runs through June 16 in seven regions of Morocco, including Agadir, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kénitra, Benguérir, and Tifnit, continues to be an annual event that strengthens military cooperation between Morocco and the United States and strengthens interactions between armed forces of various nations with the goal of promoting security and stability in the region.

Read Also: Morocco strengthens its military capabilities by acquiring the world’s smallest reconnaissance aircraft, the Black Hornet 3

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Today marked the formal start of the 19th iteration of the African Lion maneuvers in Morocco. Over 8,000 soldiers from 20 countries on the continent and overseas, as well as observers from 27 other countries, are taking part in the largest military exercise of its kind ever held in Africa.

According to the United States Africa Command, the African Lion maneuvers involving Moroccan and American soldiers will take place in the Mahbas region of the desert from May through next June.

The African lion exercise will also be held in the nation’s other areas, including Agadir, TanTan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tifnit, according to the MAP.

The joint Moroccan-American exercise involves a variety of joint armed operations for ground, airborne, maritime, aviation, and special forces, as well as formations pertinent to several operating locations.

The exercise this year involves combined arms live fire drills with American F-16 Fighting Falcons, KC-135 Stratotankers, and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

According to a statement published by the General Command of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in April, the exercise also entails civil-military activities for the removal of radioactive, biological, chemical, and nuclear contamination.

A strong illustration of Moroccan and American military cooperation is the African Lion. The two countries decided on a ten-year road map for the area of military defense on October 2, 2020.

Cooperation between Morocco and the United States aims to raise military preparedness, proficiency, and force interoperability.

In addition, Morocco intends to promote cooperation by encouraging joint ventures to engage in the country’s military sector.

The combined exercise aims to strengthen interoperability during crises and operations to strengthen security and stability in the region. It also aims to improve defense capabilities and coordination to counter transnational threats and violent extremist groups.

The African Lion manoeuvres, in which both European and African countries participate, were started in 2007 by Morocco and the US. The joint workout happens once a year, though perhaps more than once.

Other countries, such as Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, host the African Lion exercise.

Read Also: WHO Director General Hails Morocco’s Efforts to Achieve Universal Health Coverage

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The representatives of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the Armed Forces of the United States of America reviewed the logistics of carrying out the numerous activities scheduled as part of the “African Lion” exercise’s edition in 2023 at this discussion. The General Staff of the FAR stated in a statement on Monday that they then moved on to reconnaissance and the selection of potential locations for these activities.

According to the same source, joint and combined maneuvers are planned, including land, airborne, maritime, Special Forces, air, civil-military action, and CBRN (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical) decontamination. These are in addition to training in several operational areas and a planning exercise for staff executives.

According to the statement, the American and Moroccan planners also reached an agreement on the specifics of a joint musical performance between the FAR and the 23rd Utah State Army Band that will take place in conjunction with the exercise “African Lion 23’s” operational activities. This performance is one of the commemorative events planned to mark the 20th anniversary of the bilateral cooperation between the FAR and the Utah State National Guard.

Exercise AL23, one of the biggest joint exercises ever, will take place in the regions of Agadir, Tan Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kenitra, Ben Guérir, and Tifnit from May 22 to June 16, 2023.
The statement added that the involvement of many nations, particularly African nations, in this yearly event demonstrates Morocco as a reliable partner who is open and dedicated to its history and to the objectives of the international community, including peace, security, and co-development.

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Intensive meetings are taking place at the headquarters of the Royal Armed Forces’ Southern Region in Agadir these days in preparation for the 18th edition of the African Lion 2022 maneuvers, which are part of the joint military exercises between Morocco and the United States of America.

High-ranking military officials from both countries met for an extended meeting at the Southern Command yesterday, Monday, October 25, 2021, to finalize all details for the continent’s largest military event.

Get ready for African Lion 2022! Planning for the return of the largest military exercise in Africa is getting started this week in Agadir, with military personnel from Morocco, the US, Tunisia, Senegal and Ghana gathering at the FAR’s southern zone headquarters. pic.twitter.com/6i6Jv4sdCP

— U.S. Embassy Morocco (@USEmbMorocco) October 26, 2021

These maneuvers, which involve thousands of Moroccan and American soldiers as well as soldiers from other countries from around the world, are aimed at improving the maneuvering capabilities of participating units, enhancing interoperability among participants in the planning and execution of joint operations within the framework of the alliance, and mastering tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as developing cyber defense skills.

This combined exercise also aims to train the air sector in combat operations, support, and refueling from the air, improve maritime security cooperation, conduct naval exercises in naval tactics and conventional warfare, and perform humanitarian activities.

The “African Lion” exercise is a joint multinational exercise organized and managed by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in partnership with the Royal Armed Forces with the goal of improving cooperation and training, increasing interoperability, and enhancing the exchange of experiences and knowledge between the components. Different military forces are needed in order for it to reach its maximum operational potential.

It is worth noting that the joint Moroccan-American exercises “African Lion 2021” had previously organized their 17th edition from 7 to 18 June 2021 in the regions of Agadir, Tifnit, Tan-Tan, Mahbas in the Moroccan Sahara, Tafraout, Benguerir and Kenitra, based on the high instructions of King Mohammed VI.

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