SETAF-AF, 173rd Paratroopers strengthen interoperability with Tunisian partners

Paratroopers from 173rd Airborne Brigade and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa joined Tunisia Armed Forces in an airborne exercise near Bizerte, Tunisia, March 3-4. Approximately 50 Soldiers from SETAF-AF and 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, parachuted alongside 50 Tunisian military counterparts onto the Al Amila drop zone from Sidi Ahmed Air Base near Bizerte, Tunisia. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is part of the U.S. Africa Command Contingency Response Force in north and west Africa. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside Allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.


“This jump demonstrated the value of partnership with highly professional and highly capable militaries,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling.
By Maj. Cain Claxton U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Tunisia Mar 17, 2022
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 10 images

VICENZA, Italy – Paratroopers from 173rd Airborne Brigade and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa joined Tunisia Armed Forces in an airborne exercise near Bizerte, Tunisia, March 3-4.

Approximately 50 Soldiers from SETAF-AF and 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, parachuted alongside 50 Tunisian military counterparts onto the Al Amila drop zone from Sidi Ahmed Air Base near Bizerte, Tunisia.

The paratroopers jumped from U.S. and Tunisian military aircraft, qualifying them for an exchange of foreign jump wings. U.S. and Tunisian soldiers presented each other parachutist badges in a ceremony March 4.

While the militaries have joined together in a number of military exercises, including African Lion last year, this was the first U.S.-Tunisia airborne exercise in a decade.

“This jump demonstrated the value of partnership with highly professional and highly capable militaries,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa. Rohling’s SETAF-AF headquarters coordinates all U.S. Army security cooperation in Africa.

“I commend the Tunisia Armed Forces for their robust military capability to plan and execute airborne operations,” Rohling said. “It is emblematic of the professional, deliberate way they go about their business. It makes them a highly valued partner in the region.”

More in Partnerships
ALFS 2023 continues senior enlisted leader program
Originally intended to bring together African land force chiefs, or a country’s equivalent of the chief of staff of the Army, as the event has matured, so has its scope. In 2017, SETAF-AF and co-host Malawi first extended invitations to command senior enlisted leaders and their inclusion has continued for all subsequent summits.
Read more
Stumbling into opportunity: National Guardsman supports African Lion 23
BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia, May 24 - When he initially joined in 2004, 17-year-old Chris Bowling enlisted in the infantry, wanting to serve his country following the tragedy of 9/11. Nineteen years later, U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Bowling reflects on how his career took an unexpected turn when his then mentor joined the 3rd Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, and took him with him.
Read more
U.S., Burundi partner for bi-lateral military medical readiness exercise
The Burundi National Defence Force, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), 44th Medical Brigade and 39th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, are hosting a Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) at L’Hopital Militaire (Military Hospital) in Bujumbura, May 15 to June 2, 2023.
Read more
More in Partnerships
ALFS 2023 continues senior enlisted leader program
Originally intended to bring together African land force chiefs, or a country’s equivalent of the chief of staff of the Army, as the event has matured, so has its scope. In 2017, SETAF-AF and co-host Malawi first extended invitations to command senior enlisted leaders and their inclusion has continued for all subsequent summits.
Read more
Stumbling into opportunity: National Guardsman supports African Lion 23
BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia, May 24 - When he initially joined in 2004, 17-year-old Chris Bowling enlisted in the infantry, wanting to serve his country following the tragedy of 9/11. Nineteen years later, U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Bowling reflects on how his career took an unexpected turn when his then mentor joined the 3rd Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, and took him with him.
Read more
U.S., Burundi partner for bi-lateral military medical readiness exercise
The Burundi National Defence Force, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), 44th Medical Brigade and 39th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, are hosting a Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) at L’Hopital Militaire (Military Hospital) in Bujumbura, May 15 to June 2, 2023.
Read more
More in Partnerships
ALFS 2023 continues senior enlisted leader program
Originally intended to bring together African land force chiefs, or a country’s equivalent of the chief of staff of the Army, as the event has matured, so has its scope. In 2017, SETAF-AF and co-host Malawi first extended invitations to command senior enlisted leaders and their inclusion has continued for all subsequent summits.
Read more
Stumbling into opportunity: National Guardsman supports African Lion 23
BEN GHILOUF, Tunisia, May 24 - When he initially joined in 2004, 17-year-old Chris Bowling enlisted in the infantry, wanting to serve his country following the tragedy of 9/11. Nineteen years later, U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Bowling reflects on how his career took an unexpected turn when his then mentor joined the 3rd Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, and took him with him.
Read more
U.S., Burundi partner for bi-lateral military medical readiness exercise
The Burundi National Defence Force, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), 44th Medical Brigade and 39th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, are hosting a Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) at L’Hopital Militaire (Military Hospital) in Bujumbura, May 15 to June 2, 2023.
Read more