US Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise concludes in Senegal

Exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24), a series of training and military readiness exercise featuring 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents, has finished its annual run.

The concluding exercise for 2024 saw collaboration between the armed forces of Senegal and the US, as well as the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA). Led by US Africa Command (AFRICOM), the exercise took place over a two-week period and saw activities including Maryland Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, leading a combined infantry tactics exercise.

A staff exercise carried out by the US Army’s 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, and a medical exchange led by US Marine Forces Reserve, were among the other highlights.

Col. Theodore Adrien SARR, battalion commander, 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of Senegal, remarked: “We’ve enhanced interoperability and cemented our role as leaders of strategic importance in the region.”

The 2024 edition of African Lion marked the 20th anniversary of AFRICOM’s largest annual, combined, joint exercise. The full exercise ran from 19 April through to 31 May and was hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia.

Capt. Luc Laudy, commander, Delta Company, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion for the RLNA, said that African Lion 2024 offered training opportunities over diverse terrain and a challenging climate.

“The lessons learned and relationships forged here will undoubtedly contribute to regional stability and strengthen our preparedness for future challenges,” Capt. Laudy commented.