The United States Army
04/27/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/27/2026 10:54
US, Royal Moroccan Armed Forces launch African Lion 26 in Morocco
Multinational service members gather for African Lion 26 presentations during the opening ceremony at Southern Zone Headquarters, Agadir, Morocco, April 27, 2026. The opening ceremony launched AL26, Africa's premier multinational exercise for testing tomorrow's coalition force across the full spectrum of conflict. The exercise leverages Africa's unrivaled operational complexity to build combat-ready forces and increase operational independence, ensuring regional security through shared knowledge and a unified stand against common threats.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Tucker Chase) (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Tucker Chase) VIEW ORIGINAL
Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Tucker Chase) (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Tucker Chase) VIEW ORIGINAL
AGADIR, Morocco - U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, African Lion 26, officially begins today. The exercise is hosted across four nations including Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. The activities in Morocco will include approximately 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries and more than 30 U.S.-based industry partners validating future warfare capabilities across multiple locations within the country from 27 April to May 8, 2026.
Executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), the event is designed to strengthen the collective security capabilities of the United States, African nations and global allies. The training stress-tests the U.S. joint force and partner nations' ability to execute rapid deployments and operate under multi-domain threat conditions.
Multinational service members attending noncommissioned officer development classroom instruction pose for a group photo during African Lion 26 academics at Southern Zone Headquarters, Agadir, Morocco, April 23, 2026. The exercise's multinational academics engaged approximately 400 students across more than 20 military subjects, increasing a shared understanding of best practices.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexandra Dale) (Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Alexandra Dale) VIEW ORIGINAL
"African Lion 2026 is a critical demonstration of peace through strength in action," said U.S. Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command. "We are working to prevent Islamic terrorists in Africa from using regional safe heavens to strike the U.S. Homeland, and empowering allies and partners to lead efforts to degrade and destroy these organizations."
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexandra Dale) (Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Alexandra Dale) VIEW ORIGINAL
The exercise features a comprehensive suite of training events designed to test the full spectrum of military operations.
Training events include multinational academics, command field exercise, combined armed live-fire exercises, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives training, special operations training, air and maritime operations, and humanitarian civic assistance.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. David Gibbons, a contingency personnel planner, and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Desiree Alaniz, human resources noncommissioned officer in charge, both assigned to U.S. Africa Command, process personnel into Guardian during African Lion 2026 at Southern Zone Headquarters, Agadir, Morocco, April 20, 2026. The use of Guardian during AL26 demonstrated a scalable personnel tracking capability, enabling commanders to better visualize, manage and safeguard forces across dispersed and dynamic operational environments.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Reserve, set up a military tent to be used for a tactical operations center during African Lion 26 at Tifnit, Morocco, April 16, 2026. The 79th TSC established a TOC to provide centralized mission command, synchronization, and situational awareness for logistics, personnel, and medical support across the operational environment. By maintaining a TOC, the command ensures that sustainment capabilities are integrated with maneuver forces, enabling freedom of action, operational reach, and endurance during large-scale combat operations.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) VIEW ORIGINAL
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Reserve, set up a military tent to be used for a tactical operations center during African Lion 26 at Tifnit, Morocco, April 16, 2026. The 79th TSC established a TOC to provide centralized mission command, synchronization, and situational awareness for logistics, personnel, and medical support across the operational environment. By maintaining a TOC, the command ensures that sustainment capabilities are integrated with maneuver forces, enabling freedom of action, operational reach, and endurance during large-scale combat operations.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan) VIEW ORIGINAL
The exercise serves as a battle lab for integrating more than 30 U.S.-based vendors testing emerging capabilities across mission command, deep attack, defense-in-depth, and counter-attack systems. Technologies validated include autonomous systems, artificial intelligence-enabled command and control, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms.
"African Lion 26 reflects our continued bilateral commitment to regional security and stability," said Duke Buchan III, U.S. Ambassador to Morocco. "As our nations celebrate 250 years of friendship, this enduring diplomatic and military partnership continues to build capable, interoperable forces and strengthen security across the region."
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - African Lion 26 participants attend classroom instruction during the AL26 academics portion at Southern Zone Headquarters, Agadir, Morocco, April 21, 2026. The exercise's multinational academics engaged approximately 400 students across more than 20 military subjects, increasing a shared understanding of best practices.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Multinational service members gather for African Lion 26 presentations during the opening ceremony at Southern Zone Headquarters, Agadir, Morocco, April 27, 2026. The opening ceremony launched AL26, Africa's premier multinational exercise for testing tomorrow's coalition force across the full spectrum of conflict. The exercise leverages Africa's unrivaled operational complexity to build combat-ready forces and increase operational independence, ensuring regional security through shared knowledge and a unified stand against common threats.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) VIEW ORIGINAL
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Multinational service members gather for African Lion 26 presentations during the opening ceremony at Southern Zone Headquarters, Agadir, Morocco, April 27, 2026. The opening ceremony launched AL26, Africa's premier multinational exercise for testing tomorrow's coalition force across the full spectrum of conflict. The exercise leverages Africa's unrivaled operational complexity to build combat-ready forces and increase operational independence, ensuring regional security through shared knowledge and a unified stand against common threats.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk) VIEW ORIGINAL
The exercise underscores the enduring U.S. commitment to its African partners, reinforcing the necessary coalition network required to deter regional threats.
Key supporting activities throughout the exercise demonstrate the breadth of U.S.-Morocco military cooperation.
The Utah National Guard will conduct humanitarian civic assistance treating an estimated 20,000 patients over 11 days through the State Partnership Program. The Utah National Guard has maintained a State Partnership Program with Morocco since 2003.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Soldiers assigned to Chaos Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), fire a M777A2 Howitzer during an African Lion 26 live-fire exercise at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 21, 2026. The live-fire exercise evaluated the unit's ability to coordinate, maneuver and deliver precise, synchronized fires in a dynamic environment, ensuring the unit is ready and proficient for any combat mission.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Soldiers assigned to Assassin Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), fire a M119A3 Howitzer during a table VI qualification in preparation for an African Lion 26 live-fire exercise at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 17, 2026. The live-fire certification validated a crew's ability to engage targets in realistic combat scenarios, ensuring their readiness for deployment. Table VI gunnery is the final step in certifying a gun section, testing their collective skills in a challenging live-fire environment.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) VIEW ORIGINAL
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Soldiers assigned to Assassin Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), fire a M119A3 Howitzer during a table VI qualification in preparation for an African Lion 26 live-fire exercise at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 17, 2026. The live-fire certification validated a crew's ability to engage targets in realistic combat scenarios, ensuring their readiness for deployment. Table VI gunnery is the final step in certifying a gun section, testing their collective skills in a challenging live-fire environment.
AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher Sanchez) VIEW ORIGINAL
The exercise validates decision dominance by leveraging artificial intelligence-enabled tools across operational targeting and coalition command to accelerate the sensor-to-shooter cycle. The mission partner environment network bridges classified and unclassified data systems, ensuring U.S., NATO and Moroccan forces share a common operating picture.
African Lion 26 supports U.S. Africa Command's objectives of empowering African partners to achieve operational independence and building the coalition networks necessary to counter transnational threats.
About African Lion
African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS
The United States Army published this content on April 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 27, 2026 at 16:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]