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Photo 1 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teaches basic rifle marksmanship to members of the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 2 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teach basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 3 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teaches basic rifle marksmanship to a member of the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 4 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, evacuate a simulated casualty during African Lion 2024 (AL24), Tamale Air Force Base, Ghana, May 18, 2024. 2024 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
Photo 5 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teach basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 6 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, set up a support by fire position while conducting a react to contact drill during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24), Tamale Air Force Base, Ghana, May 18, 2024. 2024 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
Photo 7 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teaches basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 8 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teaches basic rifle marksmanship to a member of the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 9 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teach basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 10 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, conduct react to contact drills during African Lion 2024 (AL24), Tamale Air Force Base, Ghana, May 18. 2024 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
Photo 11 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teaches basic rifle marksmanship to members of the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 12 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teach basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 13 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teach basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 14 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teaches basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 15 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teaches basic rifle marksmanship to a member of the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
Photo 16 of 16
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, teach basic rifle marksmanship to the Ghana Armed Forces for grouping and zeroing on the range in Domongo, Ghana, May 21, 2024. This range day was held during exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) and showcased multinational partnership and willingness to share best practices with one another. 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 Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
Photo by: Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher
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.
