US Troops Arrive in Morocco for African Lion 2022 Military Exercise

An MRTT from the 31st Air Refueling and Strategic Transport Wing of the French Air and Space Force took off from the Italian base of Aviano on June 14 to transport civilian and military personnel from the US Army Southern European Task Force to Agadir, ouestfrance. The 1-12 Cavalry Squadron, the 1st Cavalry Division, whose M1A3 Abrams tanks joined the Moroccan city by ship, transiting through the Moroccan port at the beginning of the month.

C-5 Galaxy heavy transports ensured the transport of four Apaches from the Utah National Guard to Morocco. The Utah NG also proceeded to deploy soldiers from its 19th Special Forces Group. Other equipment left the port of Liverno (Italy) on board the USNS Yuma.

Started in Morocco on Monday, June 20, the Moroccan-American military exercise African Lion 2022 will continue until July 1, 2022 in Kenitra, Agadir, Taroudant, Tan Tan and Mahbès. It will involve 7,500 soldiers from Morocco, the United States, Brazil, Chad, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.