Maryland Army National Guard deepens defense partnership in Ghana at African Lion 2024

DAMONGO, Ghana - The sun-soaked training areas of Damongo have been transformed into a theater of partnership, where soldiers from the U.S. Army and Ghana Armed Forces unite under the blazing sun for African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Ghana.


“I think with the relationship between Ghana and America, there is a lot we can learn from each other,” said Ghana Armed Forces Lt. Jonah Osei-Tutu. “My experience has been well and I’m looking forward to more partnership”
By Philip Regina U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Damongo, Ghana Jun 02, 2024
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 16 images

DAMONGO, Ghana - The sun-soaked training areas of Damongo have been transformed into a theater of partnership, where soldiers from the U.S. Army and Ghana Armed Forces unite under the blazing sun for African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Ghana.

AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier and largest annual, combined, joint exercise. The exercise began on April 19 and will continue to May 31, hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senega and Tunisia with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 nations and contingents from NATO. AL24 focuses on enhancing readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces.

The Ghana portion of this exercise brings together the Maryland Army National Guard's Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment (1-175 IN) and their Ghanaian counterparts for an immersive experience that tests their capabilities to the limit.

U.S. Army Capt. Nicholas Testo, Bravo Company, 1-175 IN company commander and officer-in-charge of the Ghana portion of AL24 cannot overstate the importance of this collaboration.

"These exercises not only hone our tactical prowess but also forge an unbreakable bond between our forces," said Testo. "The joint training on situational training exercise lanes has been pivotal in aligning our operational doctrines."

Ghana participants agreed.

“I think with the relationship between Ghana and America, there is a lot we can learn from each other,” said Ghana Armed Forces Lt. Jonah Osei-Tutu. “My experience has been well and I’m looking forward to more partnership”

For U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alexi Franklin, 1-175 IN battalion commander, his unit’s participation in AL24 spread his companies throughout three training sites in Africa: Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal.

"I’m extremely proud of my soldiers,” said Franklin. “With my companies spread throughout Africa, this forced me to trust in my company commanders and let them lead.”

In addition to the physical distance between host nations, the 1-175 IN also faced diverse conditions such as harsh climate, varying terrain and intermittent connectivity.

“It is a very challenging training environment, but my soldiers stepped up to the challenge,” said Franklin.

More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more