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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Sgt. Carlos Juarez, an engineer advisor with the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, participates in a sustainment working group during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Phil Regina)
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Riley, an engineer advisor with the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, participates in a protection working group during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. The AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (Courtesy photo by 2nd SFAB)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jose Morillo, a senior intelligence advisor with the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, teaches a class during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. The AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Cade Castillo)
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Maj. Charles Martin, an engineer advisor with the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, leads a class on courses of action comparison during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. The AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (Courtesy photo by 2nd SFAB)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
An Armed Forces of Liberia soldier asks questions during a battle rhythm class, as part of a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Cade Castillo)
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Capt. Martin Witt Jr., engineer advisory team leader, and U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jose Morillo, senior intelligence advisor, both assigned to the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, observe an intelligence working group during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (Courtesy photo by 2nd SFAB)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Sgt. Alexandria Pulli, a French linguist with the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, Utah Army National Guard, participates in a current operations working group during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (Courtesy photo by 2nd SFAB)
Photo by: SETAF-Africa Public Affairs
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Tinkorang, a signal specialist and interpreter with the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, Utah Army National Guard, participates in a protection working group during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Cade Castillo)
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Sgt. Alexandria Pulli, a French linguist with the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, explains the military decision-making process during a staff exercise in support of African Lion 2024 (AL24) at Tamale, Ghana, May 17. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Cade Castillo)
Photo by: Spc. Cade Castillo
TAMALE, Ghana — The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB) is playing a crucial role in African Lion 2024 (AL24) by leading a comprehensive staff exercise (STAFFEX) in Ghana. The STAFFEX focuses on enhancing operational capabilities through rehearsing the military decision-making process.
AL24 started in Ghana on May 13 and will run through May 26. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the exercise focuses on enhancing readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. This joint all-domain, multi-component and multinational exercise, employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access.
The STAFFEX is only one of the many activities taking place in Ghana, all with the specific intent of improving interoperability with African partners.
"This STAFFEX is vital for enhancing communication and decision-making among U.S., Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), as well as the other participating African countries of Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo.” said U.S. Army Maj. Charles Martin, the lead 2nd SFAB advisor for the STAFFEX.
Amidst the mixed audience of GAF and multinational participants, the team of 2nd SFAB advisors spent the first week of African Lion leading participants through the seven steps of the military decision-making process. They will spend the final week of the exercise applying skills learned in a tactical operations center exercise (TOCEX).
"We plan to integrate what was learned in the classroom during week one with what is happening in the real world," explained U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jose Morillo, 2nd SFAB intelligence advisor. "During the TOCEX, we will conduct mission tracking and hasty military decision-making process of 1-175 during their field training exercise."
For GAF participants, the STAFFEX is an opportunity to sharpen their skills as soldiers.
“Participating in African Lion has been very instrumental in enhancing my intelligence capabilities,” said Ghana Army Maj. Daniel Adjetey, an intelligence officer and participant in the STAFFEX.
For the 2nd SFAB advisors, this represents two short weeks within a six-month deployment to Ghana, but the insights gained in these two weeks will inform the success of the entire deployment.
"Any opportunity to advise, assist and train alongside our Ghanaian counterparts supports the 2nd SFAB's mission in Africa," added U.S. Army Capt. Rollin Barton, 2nd SFAB engineer advisory team leader. "Through these engagements, we are not just training together; we are learning from one another, which is invaluable for our collective security goals."
About 2nd SFAB The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB), assigned to SETAF-AF, specializes in providing security force assistance and advisory support to African partner nations. Tasked with enhancing the tactical proficiency, operational capabilities, and overall effectiveness of African military forces, the 2nd SFAB plays a pivotal role in strengthening defense partnerships across the continent.
About SETAF-AF SETAF-AF serves as a dedicated headquarters under U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa, coordinating Army activities across Africa to provide scalable crisis response options.
