Casablanca – The United States Department of War will take part in the 2026 Marrakech Airshow from October 7 to 10 at the Royal Moroccan Air Force Base in Marrakech, with two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets set to fly over the event.
The US delegation will include about 45 military personnel. Two F-35As from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in the UK will conduct the flyover, while an HC-130J Super Hercules from the 176th Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska and a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Utah National Guard will appear in the static display.
The US presence comes as Morocco hosts the eighth edition of the biennial Marrakech Airshow, which runs through October 10. This year’s edition brings together nearly 200 exhibitors from 27 countries and more than 250 high-level civilian and military delegations. The UAE serves as the strategic partner of this year’s show, which focuses on industrial sovereignty, resilient supply chains, advanced defense systems, artificial intelligence, and satellite technology.
The show has become a major platform for Morocco’s aerospace and defense industries. The previous edition in 2024 featured 300 exhibitors, more than 75 official delegations and 12,500 square meters of exhibition space.
This year, the American military presence also puts attention on the long-running aviation relationship between Washington and Rabat. US and Moroccan aircrews regularly train and operate together, with cooperation centered on aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and C-130 Hercules.
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Morocco’s F-16 fleet forms the backbone of its air combat capability and regularly works alongside US forces. During the annual Exercise African Lion, pilots from both countries conduct joint missions that include in-flight refueling from US KC-135 Stratotankers, allowing Moroccan aircrews to train for longer-range operations.
Brig. Gen. Matthew French, ANG Assistant to the Commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA, said the airshow comes ahead of the 250th anniversary of the US-Moroccan alliance.
“It is an honor to be at Marrakech ahead of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.-Moroccan Alliance,” French said, adding that the forum supports strong and enduring allied and partner forces.
US Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III described the airshow as a reflection of the nearly 250-year relationship between the two countries. He pointed to decades of joint flying, pilot training and military operations.
Morocco became the first country to recognize US independence and seek diplomatic relations with the United States. Nearly 250 years later, the two countries continue cooperation on regional peace, security and shared interests.
The American delegation says the airshow also gives pilots, maintainers and security professionals an opportunity to work together in person, exchange ideas and strengthen the operational ties between the two countries.
