Rabat – Morocco World News had the opportunity to attend the Exercise African Lion 2021 Distinguished Visitors Day on June 18. It was an action packed event that perfectly encompassed the spirit of the annual joint military exercise between the US, Morocco, and other allied nations.
The day began on a brisk, early morning in the beautiful city of Agadir. Both press and military officials alike stood with a cup of coffee in-hand as everyone gathered in the lobby of a stunning, beachside resort and awaited the short bus ride to the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) airbase in Agadir.
Once on the tarmac of the airbase, everyone eagerly awaited the chance to escape the morning air and board the Moroccan C130H cargo aircraft.
Next stop: Tan-Tan
As soon as all the personnel and cargo boarded the aircraft, the FAR pilots powered the engine’s four prop-turbines and ascended into the air, bound for the Tan-Tan airbase.
The ride on the military aircraft was extraordinary as cargo netting and exposed hydraulic systems replaced the usual first-class seating of a commercial aircraft. In addition, the lack of windows made for a dark, anxious ride as one began to wonder whether or not the aircraft had left the ground due to the sensory overload. The hour-long flight left little room for personal conversation as the turbulent mixture of wind noise and raw engine power battered everyone’s ear drums.
As soon as the tires chirped on the Tan-Tan runway, everyone sighed a breath of relief and was eager to deplane and make the short trek to the Cape Draa Observation post, 33 kilometers outside the town of Tan-Tan.
To everyone’s surprise, rain and fog overshadowed the saharan climate of Tan-Tan and only a few military service members had to brave the elements while the others rushed to the next mode of transport.
Three buses filled with the highest echelons of military servicemen and women, alongside distinguished visitors from the media and government agencies, arrived at the observation post around 9:00 a.m and everyone’s spirits were high.
Although the rain had subsided by the time the caravan reached the observation post, 70 km/h winds threatened to delay the event.
The diverse crowd of people, made up of over ten nationalities, rushed to the edge of the observation post to get a first glimpse at the vast, uninhabited firing range that spanned for as far as the eye could see.
Miniature green flags and white tents spanned in a linear pattern for the length of the firing range and served as reference points for the artillery teams to later barrage with 155mm shells. To the left of the range, a massive clearing awaited the US Army’s 173rd Airborne paratroopers to execute their mission into the drop zone (DZ).
Air Superiority
The loud gusts of wind and roaring chatter of conversation amongst the visitors were quickly silenced by the deafening roar of two Moroccan F16 GE jet engines. The planes demonstrated aerial maneuvers directly atop the crowd of observers and performed low fly-bys that nearly broke the speed of sound.
Morocco purchased 25 F16’s from the US in March 2019 for $3.8 billion (MAD 33.8 billion) and upgraded an additional F16’s in the FAR’s air force fleet for $985.2 million (MAD 8.7 billion ).
Read also: US Finalizes Contract on Morocco’s F-16 Aircraft Purchase
After the fighter jet air superiority demonstration concluded, a Moroccan C130H tailed a US C130J during a fly over to serve as a symbol of joint readiness between the two countries.
The passover of the cargo planes preceded the drop off the airborne regiment into the DZ, however, the ongoing perilous winds forced the paratroopers to remain grounded for the exercise.
Steel Rain
A short interlude allowed for the visitors to enjoy some Moroccan tea. Moroccan soldiers mingled with US Army soldiers and both militaries exchanged laughter and positive energy in anticipation of the coming artillery exercise.
In addition, there was a large presence of Senegalese military members, along with smaller groups of distinguished visitors representing the multi-national partners of Exercise African Lion such as Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Qatar, Egypt, Ghana, Italy, and other NATO personnel.
A plume of smoke on the firing range followed by a loud “bang” signified the start of the Moroccan artillery exhibition.
Nearly a kilometer away stood a group of Moroccan Paladin Artillery Systems, loaded with 155mm shells. The mission’s objective was for the artillery teams to bombard the targets while Moroccan and US infantry teams advanced on the objectives.
Simultaneously, artillery shells continued to batter the arid sand of the Tan-Tan firing range while light armored vehicles kicked up dust during their direct, merciless charge to the targets.
The sound of blasting artillery cannons competed with the sustained rattle of small arms fire and vehicle-mounted .50 caliber machine guns as the infantry units neared the targets.
If the soil could speak it would have pleaded for a breath of fresh air from the relentless shower of varied munitions; the sky filled with a wall of sand and in turn, the wind battered the onlookers that stood just 300 meters away from the nearest targets.
By the end of the nearly two-hour long military exhibition, the visitors had a new red sheen due to the intense UV rays that paired with the sandstorm caused by the gunfire.
An announcement on the loudspeaker of the observation post noted the conclusion of the military exercises and congratulated the joint military forces on their successful destruction of the simulated enemy targets.
Diplomacy in motion
Following the military display of power, the press and military officials moved to the entrance of the observation post to engage in one-on-one conversations regarding the importance of the annual joint military exercise African Lion.
US and Moroccan generals fielded questions from the media and spoke about the shared successes of the US-Moroccan forces on the battlefield.
“Thanks to its multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national character, African Lion 2021 employed a wide array of mission capabilities in order to strengthen interoperability between partner nations, and enhance the aptitude to conduct in-theater operations, particularly through this year’s engagement of 8,000 personnel, both men and women, including Americans and other multinationals,” said Maj. Gen. Farouk.
US Army Major General Rohling reiterated his Moroccan counterpart’s sentiment, stating: “This year’s African Lion was the largest and most complex we have had, to date.”
The US Charge d’Affaires David Greene even made a quick appearance in front of the media before departing with the VIP envoy aboard a FAR Aerospatiale SA 330 Puma transport helicopter.
Return to Agadir
Around 1:35 p.m, the distinguished visitors returned to the buses to travel back to the Tan-Tan airfield.
Two C130’s awaited the group of distinguished visitors, however, the Moroccan C130 was already preparing to taxi to the runway, leaving one single US Air Force C130J the responsibility of returning everyone to Agadir.
Reports of a miscommunication regarding seating assignments left nearly 30 reporters and service members standing at the rear loading ramp of the C130, anxious to board and take a well deserved break from the festivities and blazing desert air.
In the midst of the chaos, MWN had an exclusive opportunity to speak with the US Charge d’ Affairs on the tarmac.
Greene spoke about the importance of military cooperation in furthering US foreign policy objectives in North Africa. The diplomat spoke, among other things, about the value of language exchange in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“When it comes to language, the US government is investing a tremendous amount of energy, effort, and money to help the Moroccan government overcome the challenges that it faces,” said the Charge d’Affaires.
After boarding the American cargo aircraft, everyone immediately settled into their makeshift seats and caught up on some much-needed rest.
The flight touched down in Agadir as quickly as it took off and the media had one last opportunity to speak with David Greene and US General Stephen Townsend. Both officials echoed the message of multi-dimensional partnership between the US and Morocco and thanked the press for attending the event.
Once the press briefing concluded, the press and government officials parted ways and everyone looked forward to the short bus ride back to the beachside Agadir resort.
The all-day event was more than just a display of military might. It served as a reminder of the importance of joint military cooperation. Although the objective of Exercise African Lion is to strengthen interoperability and bolster the strategic partnership between the US, Morocco, and other partner countries, the direct impact of the annual event transcends military values.
Hand shakes between soldiers from around the world and the hilarious exchange of berets that were nearly lost to high winds prove that the world can achieve peace and stability through cultural exchange and multinational partnerships such as Exercise African Lion.
