The US Africa Command’s largest annual joint and combined exercise, African Lion 2024, has gotten underway in Tunisia, with more than 8000 personnel from 27 countries taking part.
The exercise kicked off on 29 April and is set to conclude on 31 May. It is hosted by US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and is being held across Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana and Morocco, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters this week.
During the Tunisia portion of the exercise, African Lion will be focused on developing readiness and interoperability among participating countries through diverse training activities. This includes live-fire exercises; explosive ordnance disposal operations; and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, according to the release.
Multiple training areas will be utilised throughout Tunisia, including Bizerte, El Aouina Air Base in Tunis, the Port of Gabes and the Ben Ghilouf Training Area. Ben Ghilouf will feature live-fire exercises, including heavy artillery with High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and a field training exercise. Concurrently in Bizerte, the focus will be chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, as well as explosive ordnance disposal operations.
Additionally, a range of academic courses covering military intelligence, civil affairs, air-ground integration, public affairs and legal studies focused on the rule of law will be conducted during the exercise period.
The exercise runs until May 10, 2024, in Tunisia, but will continue until May 31 in three other host nations: Morocco, Ghana and Senegal.
While more than 1000 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.
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