The combined Moroccan-American exercise “African Lion 2022” ended on Thursday at Cape Draa, Tan Tan, with a training between the Royal Armed Forces and the American Armed Forces.
This exercise was attended by Lieutenant General BelkhirEl Farouk, Commander of South Zone and Inspector General of FAR, as well as General Stephen Townsend (Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM). F16 aircraft were used to perform maneuvers, along with bombing targets with Apache helicopters and armored vehicles. Abrams tanks were also used.
The exercise also included bombing by Abrams tanks during the maneuvers and bombing with “HIMARS” missile launchers.
“We are here to participate in the 18th edition of the African Lion 2022 exercise, which is the largest and most diverse multinational and multidisciplinary operation we have conducted in Africa, in partnership with the Royal Armed Forces since 2004,” said General Townsend in a press statement on the occasion, expressing his deep appreciation to the FAR, the Moroccan government and the South Zone Command.
These maneuvers, marking the closing of this 18th edition that “I followed, alongside Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk, Inspector General of the FAR, Commander of the South Zone, were the result of a training that lasted three to four weeks,” he noted, while welcoming the organization of these exercises and the results of these maneuvers.
The African Lion exercise aims to improve the skills and interoperability of all participating units and to strengthen the ability to collaborate now and in future. General Townsend also noted that these maneuvers have strengthened the relationship between Morocco and the United States.
Colonel Major Abdelhaq Mhasni (Deputy Chief of Third Staff Office / South Zone) stated in a similar statement, that the 18th edition was marked by the achievement all objectives of military training in various areas such as planning and multinational operation, logistical support and interoperability, humanitarian aid, material support, and integration with new partners.
Colonel Major Mhasni said that the follow-up to these closing exercises shows the importance of the strategic partnership between Morocco, the United States of America, and King Mohammed VI, Supreme Leader, Chief of Staff of FAR.
The African Lion exercise is designed to improve the intervention capabilities of participating units as well as strengthen their combined action capabilities when planning and executing military operations within the framework of a coalition.
This year’s edition (June 20-30) saw the participation of 10 countries, including Morocco and the United States, as well as some twenty military observers from partner countries.
The drills were conducted in the Agadir and Benguerir regions, Kenitra, Kenitras, Mahbes Taroudant and Tan Tan.
Source: north africa post
