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Photo 1 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, demonstrate the Avenger Air Defense System capabilities by firing a Stinger missile during African Lion 25 (AL25) at Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, April 25, 2025. This mobile system is a defense against low-altitude aerial threats. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Rodriguez)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kenneth Rodriguez
Photo 2 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
Maj. Gen. Mohamed El Ghoul, Army Chief of Staff, Tunisian Land Forces, addresses distinguished visitors at Camp Rimel, Bizerte, Tunisia, April 29, 2025, during exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25). Tunisian Armed Forces showcase their operational readiness through dynamic demonstrations, highlighting their capabilities in airborne operations; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) tactics and objective assaults during the demonstration at the conclusion of AL25 in Tunisia.
AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Randall Townsend
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U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, deputy commanding general of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) attends demonstration day at Camp Rimel, Bizerte, Tunisia, April 29, 2025, during exercise African Lion 2025, showcasing dynamic demonstrations and multinational cooperation. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Randall Townsend
Photo 4 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Soldiers with the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, take part in a night-fire breach course at Ben Ghilouf Training Area in Tunisia, April 25, 2025. Exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) enhances soldier readiness in breaching operations and overcoming battlefield obstacles. AL25, set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops, to conduct realistic, dynamic, and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, on behalf of U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise enhances our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Rodriguez)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kenneth Rodriguez
Photo 5 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the the U.S. Army Reserve’s 933rd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Company, 5th Medical Brigade, 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support), successfully executed a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) evaluation alongside Tunisian medical personnel as part of the multi-national exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) at Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, April 24, 2025. This critical evaluation aimed to ensure that MEDEVAC procedures are effectively in place for rapid care in the event of injured service members during live-fire exercises. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jose Lora)
Photo 6 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
A joint precision airdrop system (JPADS) descends from the sky while carrying Class I (CL I) supplies during an airborne operation as part of exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25), Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, April 22, 2025.
The airdrop mission conducted by Kilo Company, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade, involved the precise delivery of five container delivery systems (CDS), including two JPADS carrying essential CL I supplies, marking a significant milestone for the unit.
AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mariah Y. Gonzalez)
Photo by: Sgt. Mariah Gonzalez
Photo 7 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. and Tunisian Armed Forces conduct aeromedical evacuation training at El Aouina Air Base, Tunisia, April 24, 2025, as part of African Lion 2025 (AL25). This training enhanced joint readiness and interoperability in responding to medical emergencies during multinational operations. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Randall Townsend
Photo 8 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Spc. Colton Qurollo, left, and Spc. William Hawkins, attached to the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, drives down stakes to reset concertina wire during breach training at Ben Ghilouf Training Area in Tunisia, April 25, 2025. Exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) enhances soldier readiness when encountering obstacles on the battlefield. AL25, set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops, to conduct realistic, dynamic, and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise enhances our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Rodriguez)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kenneth Rodriguez
Photo 9 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. and Tunisian Armed Forces paratroopers execute a static line jump for distinguished visitors at Camp Rimel, Bizerte, Tunisia, April 29, 2025, during exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25), showcasing airborne proficiency and multinational cooperation.
AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Randall Townsend
Photo 10 of 10
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Col. Drew Conover, left, director of training and exercises for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), discusses the start of African Lion 2025 (AL25) with Tunisian Senior Col. Majid Mguidich, middle, AL25 exercise director, and Emily Katkar, deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy Tunis, during the opening ceremony for AL25 at El Aouina Air Base, Tunisia, April 22, 2025. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by SETAF-AF on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by 1st Sgt. Jay Townsend)
Photo by: 1st Sgt. Randall Townsend
TUNIS, Tunisia – Special forces paratroopers descended upon the barren north-Saharan desert, unfurling the crescent moon and star of the red and white Tunisian flag, during the final event of African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Tunisia. This marked the conclusion of nearly two weeks of warfighting training for more than 1,700 multinational service members.
The exercise ended April 30, with a combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) at the Ben Ghilouf Training Area. Distinguished visitors from the U.S. and partner nations, including U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, deputy commanding general of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), as well as Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), the AL25 exercise director, observed the event.
“African Lion here in Tunisia provides participants with an opportunity to build a cohesive multinational force, ready to respond collectively and with lethality, no matter the threat,” said Brennan. “Modern warfare dictates we will never enter a fight alone, and this exercise proves the U.S. has professional, fully capable partners at our side.”
AL25 is the 21st iteration of the exercise, with Tunisia serving as a host nation the last eight years. Directed by SETAF-AF, under the oversight of USAFRICOM, the exercise continues through May in Ghana, Morocco and Senegal with over 10,000 participants from over 40 nations, including NATO partners and allies.
In Tunisia alone, NATO allies such as France, Italy and Spain combined forces with the U.S. during AL25. Africa was represented by Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia, demonstrating a wide-reaching commitment to military readiness and burden sharing.
“I can tell you firsthand, partnerships matter,” said U.S. Army Maj. Daniel Dreyer, an operations officer assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. “Working with our Moroccan, Tunisian and Senegalese partners isn’t just about shaking hands. It’s about learning how each other fights, thinks and adapts—so when real-world missions come, we’re already speaking the same language.”
Exercise events in Tunisia included countering improvised explosive devices and enhancing joint response to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. CBRN events featured the Wyoming National Guard’s 84th Civil Support Team, which boasts a 21-year relationship with Tunisia through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.
Multinational academic courses focused on the rule of law, tactical combat casualty care, aeromedical evacuation, as well as cyber and military intelligence.
Additionally, maneuver training showcased air defense provided by the st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Tunisian-led desert survival, air-to-ground integration, as well as artillery and airborne operations featuring the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Day and night live-fire events validated a wide variety of weaponry ranging from small arms to sniper rifles, stinger missiles, the Avenger Weapon System and multiple types of howitzers.
“We appreciate Tunisia serving as a host for African Lion for the eighth time,” said Joey Hood, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia. “This is both a testament to Tunisia’s leadership and our strong bilateral partnership going back more than two centuries. Tunisia’s support of AL25 and similar exercises, including Phoenix Express later this year, is one of many reasons it has become a regional provider of security expertise.”
While AL25 concludes in Tunisia, the exercise is just getting started, building multinational readiness within the remaining host nations, addressing real-world challenges to include global terrorist threats. The exercise continues to prepare the theater for potential conflicts, enhance access, strengthen infrastructure and solidify partner nation support.
About SETAF-AF
SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe & Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.
For all photos, videos and article throughout the exercise, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AfricanLionEx
