The US Africa Command’s premier annual exercise, African Lion 2024, has commenced in Tunisia, marking a pivotal moment in military cooperation and readiness across Africa. This year’s exercise is particularly noteworthy as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the African Lion series, with the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) taking the lead for the first time.
Spanning from April 29 to May 31, African Lion 2024 involves more than 8,000 personnel from 27 countries, including contingents from NATO, demonstrating an unprecedented scale of multinational collaboration. The exercise encompasses a series of rigorous training activities spread across Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana, and Senegal, with the aim of bolstering defense capabilities and fostering interoperability among the participating nations.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh highlighted the significance of African Lion 2024, stating that it provides an opportunity for dynamic and collaborative readiness training in austere environments. The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen shared defense capabilities, crucial for countering violent extremist organizations and transnational threats.
“African Lion provides an opportunity to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative readiness training in austere environments,” said Singh, adding that the exercise increases interoperability, while strengthening shared defence capabilities and cooperation used to counter violent extremist organisations and transnational threats.
“The exercise is a testament to the dedication participants have to enhancing security and collaboration across the continent,” she said.
“Now in its 20th year, African Lion highlights the US military’s commitment to maintaining strong relationships with allies and partners throughout the region, thus embodying the military’s partner-led and US-enabled approach to Africa,” according to a recent Army release on the exercise.
“We are very grateful for our Tunisian hosts. They continue to demonstrate their professionalism and hospitality,” US Army Brigadier General John A LeBlanc, SETAF-AF deputy commanding general, is quoted in the release. “This multinational engagement is designed to prevent conflicts, deter adversary aggression and ensure readiness to respond effectively to any crisis.”
“African Lion provides an opportunity to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative readiness training in austere environments,” said Singh, adding that the exercise increases interoperability, while strengthening shared defense capabilities and cooperation used to counter violent extremist organizations and transnational threats.
“The exercise is a testament to the dedication participants have to enhancing security and collaboration across the continent.”
In Tunisia, the exercise focuses on a variety of training activities aimed at developing readiness and interoperability. These include live-fire exercises, explosive ordnance disposal operations, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training. The training areas utilized throughout Tunisia are strategically chosen to provide diverse and challenging environments, such as Bizerte, El Aouina Air Base, the Port of Gabes, and the Ben Ghilouf Training Area.
The Ben Ghilouf Training Area, in particular, will feature intense live-fire exercises, including the deployment of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, while Bizerte will concentrate on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training, alongside explosive ordnance disposal operations.
Moreover, African Lion 2024 includes a comprehensive academic component, offering courses in military intelligence, civil affairs, air-ground integration, public affairs, and legal studies with a focus on the rule of law. These courses are integral to the professional development of the military personnel and contribute to the overall success of the exercise.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John A. LeBlanc, SETAF-AF deputy commanding general, expressed his gratitude towards the Tunisian hosts for their unwavering professionalism and hospitality. He emphasized that African Lion is not just about training; it’s about preventing conflicts, deterring adversary aggression, and ensuring readiness to respond effectively to any crisis.
“We are very grateful for our Tunisian hosts. They continue to demonstrate their professionalism and hospitality,” U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John A. LeBlanc, SETAF-AF deputy commanding general, is quoted in the release. “This multinational engagement is designed to prevent conflicts, deter adversary aggression and ensure readiness to respond effectively to any crisis.”
While more than 1 000 military personnel from both the US and Tunisia are participating in Tunisia, more than 8 000 multinational service members from 27 countries and contingents from NATO will participate in the overall exercise.
“It’s important to highlight the fact that those numbers include members of the Army, Air Force and Marines,” LeBlanc is quoted in the release. “I happen to be a New Hampshire National Guardsman myself, and I’m very pleased elements of the US Army Reserve and National Guard have flown all the way to Tunisia for African Lion as well.”
The exercise also serves as a platform for the African Maritime Forces Summit and the Navy Infantry Leadership Symposium Africa, held in Accra, Ghana. These events, led by US Naval Forces Africa and US Marine Corps Africa in partnership with Ghana’s navy, focus on maritime security and collaboration. Military chiefs and government leaders from over 40 international ally and partner countries are engaging in panel discussions to improve interoperability and strategic-level relationships, which are vital for regional cooperation against maritime threats.
As African Lion 2024 progresses, it stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of the participating nations to enhance security and collaboration across the continent. The exercise underscores the U.S. military’s long-standing commitment to maintaining strong relationships with allies and partners in Africa, embodying a partner-led and U.S.-enabled approach to security and stability in the region.
In its 20th year, African Lion not only reflects on two decades of progressive military cooperation but also looks forward to a future where such alliances are even more crucial. The exercise is a clear indication of the collective resolve to maintain peace and stability in Africa, preparing the participating nations to effectively respond to any crisis and ensuring a safer future for all.