Category: Security

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

AGADIR, Morocco – U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, African Lion 26, officially begins today. The exercise is hosted across four nations including Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. The activities in Morocco will include approximately 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries and more than 30 U.S.-based industry partners validating future warfare capabilities across multiple locations within the country from 27 April to May 8, 2026.

Executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), the event is designed to strengthen the collective security capabilities of the United States, African nations and global allies. The training stress-tests the U.S. joint force and partner nations’ ability to execute rapid deployments and operate under multi-domain threat conditions.

“African Lion 26 reflects our continued bilateral commitment to regional security and stability,” said Duke Buchan III, U.S. Ambassador to Morocco. “As our nations celebrate 250 years of friendship, this enduring diplomatic and military partnership continues to build capable, interoperable forces and strengthen security across the region.”

The exercise features a comprehensive suite of training events designed to test the full spectrum of military operations.

Training events include multinational academics, command field exercise, combined armed live-fire exercises, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives training, special operations training, air and maritime operations, and humanitarian civic assistance.

The exercise integrates more than 30 U.S.-based vendors testing emerging capabilities across mission command, deep attack, defense-in-depth, and counter-attack systems. Technologies validated include autonomous systems, artificial intelligence-enabled command and control, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms.

“African Lion 2026 is a critical demonstration of peace through strength in action,” said U.S. Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command. “We are working to prevent Islamic terrorists in Africa from using regional safe heavens to strike the U.S. Homeland, and empowering allies and partners to lead efforts to degrade and destroy these organizations.”

The exercise underscores the enduring U.S. commitment to its African partners, reinforcing the necessary coalition network required to deter regional threats.

Key supporting activities throughout the exercise demonstrate the breadth of U.S.-Morocco military cooperation.

The Utah National Guard will conduct humanitarian civic assistance treating an estimated 20,000 patients over 11 days through the State Partnership Program. The Utah National Guard has maintained a State Partnership Program with Morocco since 2003.

The exercise validates decision dominance by leveraging artificial intelligence-enabled tools across operational targeting and coalition command to accelerate the sensor-to-shooter cycle. The mission partner environment network bridges classified and unclassified data systems, ensuring U.S., NATO and Moroccan forces share a common operating picture.

African Lion 26 supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering African partners to achieve operational independence and building the coalition networks necessary to counter transnational threats.

About African Lion

African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.

African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS

Source: United States Army

WIESBADEN, Germany — U.S. Army Europe and Africa kicks off exercise Sword 26 today. This series of exercises will run through the end of May 2026 in eight countries across NATO’s Eastern Flank, replacing the DEFENDER exercise series.

Sword 26 will see U.S. and NATO forces conducting operations across eight countries in the High North, the Baltic region and in Poland. The exercise focuses on operationalizing the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, a transformational concept designed for NATO and U.S. forces to execute NATO’s integrated defense plans in the land domain.

“Sword 26 tests our lethality and ability to harness data and AI-enabled warfare at scale to operate with NATO Allies. It’s the application of Army Transformation to fight NATO’s regional plans across all domains in the High North, Baltic region, and Poland,” saidGen. Christopher Donahue,commanding general, U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

The exercise series includes three linked exercises: Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. Each plays a unique role in validating Allied and U.S. land forces to execute NATO’s plans and advance the EFDI concept. Saber Strike focuses on rapid overland deployment in the Baltic region, Immediate Response showcases sustainment and combat power in the High North, and Swift Response demonstrates the deployment of specialized equipment from the U.S. and within the theater.

The DEFENDER exercise, an acronym for Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, focused on the deployment of units from the U.S. into Europe from 2020-2025, testing USAREUR-AF’s ability to receive and integrate forces. Sword shifts the focus to validating NATO’s regional plans and advancing the EFDI. This change reflects the U.S. Army’s emphasis on warfighting, modernization, and readiness, consistent with NATO’s transformational priorities.

For U.S. forces, it’s a platform for integrating cutting-edge capabilities, such as AI-enabled command and control systems, and multi-domain operations.

“Sword 26 allows us to test and train a number of efforts,” said Col. James Egan, USAREUR-AF Director of Training and Exercises. “Our Allies are stepping up to meet NATO’s pledge to invest in formations and capabilities, from setting the network to integrating sensors and unmanned systems, this exercise puts it all together to command and control forces in the field, across the Eastern Flank.”

With approximately 15,500 participants, Sword demonstrates the ability to operate as a unified, lethal force across all domains. As NATO continues to adapt to emerging threats, Sword 26 serves as a powerful example of how the U.S. Army and its Allies are working together to deter adversaries across Europe’s Northern and Eastern flanks.

For more information on Sword and related exercises, go to www.europeafrica.army.mil/SWORD.

Source: United States Army

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii is advancing quality-of-life modernization efforts by improving barracks living conditions as the 25th Infantry Division prepares for an increase in incoming personnel.

To support this shift, the garrison has procured more than 500 new bunks, mattresses, and dressers for single enlisted Soldier housing across Schofield Barracks. This effort represents the initial phase of a broader initiative to modernize living spaces and ensure Soldiers have safe, functional, and comfortable environments.

Crews began offloading the first shipment this week, with distribution and installation expected to begin within days. The new items will be strategically placed across multiple barracks facilities to increase occupancy capacity and standardize living conditions.

“This is about taking care of our Soldiers and investing in readiness,” said Travis Ryusaki, supervisor for the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Housing Division Furnishings Management Office, Directorate of Public Works. “Modern, functional living spaces directly support our Soldiers’ ability to recover, focus, and perform their mission. As we prepare to receive additional personnel, we are ensuring they have the environments they need to remain mission-ready.”

The initiative aligns with Army-wide priorities to strengthen readiness by investing in Soldier well-being. By upgrading barracks infrastructure, leadership aims to provide a standard of living that supports rest, resilience, and daily recovery.

Ryusaki noted that this is the first step in a phased approach to modernize barracks across the installation. Additional improvements are planned as part of ongoing efforts by the Directorate of Public Works to sustain and enhance facilities that directly impact Soldier morale.

These upgrades position Schofield Barracks to better support the 25th Infantry Division while reinforcing the Army’s commitment to putting People First and building ready, resilient formations.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

AGADIR, Morocco – A combined flight of two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers and four Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons over Cap Draa, signaled the launch of Morocco‘s first accredited joint terminal attack controller qualification course, April 23.

The flyover was a key component of African Lion 26, U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8. Integrating these aircraft into the multinational exercise demonstrated the ability of the U.S. and its partners to project combat-credible airpower worldwide.

Air Force Global Strike Command bombers routinely conduct sorties around the world to include flights required to maintain crew proficiency and qualification.

“Their visible presence over Morocco, operating alongside Royal Moroccan Air Force fighters, signals credible deterrence and reinforces the U.S. commitment to regional security,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commanding general of U.S. Africa Command.

U.S. Strategic Command bomber forces regularly carry out combined theater security cooperation engagements with allies and partners, demonstrating the credibility and flexibility of U.S. forces to address today’s complex, dynamic and unpredictable global security environment.

“The inaugural JTAC qualification course trains Moroccan students to direct combat aircraft, artillery and naval gunfire from forward positions,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Therron Bundick, chief of weapons and tactics for the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron. “These controllers hold the authority to clear airstrikes, ensuring accuracy while avoiding friendly fire and minimizing collateral damage.”

During the exercise, U.S. Air Force JTACs assigned to the 165th ASOS, as well as Detachment 1 of the 2nd ASOS, joined U.S. Marine Corps JTACs with the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to train alongside service members from Canada, Hungary and Morocco. Live and simulated training events give students realistic close air support scenarios, and the diverse group accelerates the development of a professional JTAC cadre through the exchange of tactics and procedures.

The program marks a significant milestone in the development of the Moroccan joint fires capability and a foundational step toward a standardized, internationally interoperable JTAC capability aligned with modern coalition warfare requirements.

“Morocco’s first JTAC qualification course marks a historic milestone in advancing allied interoperability,” Bundick said. “U.S. involvement ensures a rigorous training environment to establish a lasting foundation for the program’s future.”

Combined live-fire integration also allows U.S. units to test their own tactics alongside trusted partners. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Chevallier, 1st Brigade air officer assigned to 3rd ANGLICO, emphasized that the training allowed both forces to cross-train and leverage each other’s unique operational capabilities.

“Combined live-fire training like this allows us to validate our tactics, techniques and procedures under the trusted scrutiny of an allied force,” Chevallier said. “It reinforces that shared commitment to excellence where, as we say, ‘steel sharpens steel.'”

Chevallier said AL26 has provided a valuable opportunity for the Marines of 3rd ANGLICO and its partners in the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces to learn from each other’s strengths and unique capabilities.

The combined employment of U.S. strategic heavy bombers with Moroccan airpower, paired with the launch of Morocco’s first nationally accredited JTAC qualification course, provides flexible options to assure partners and deter potential adversaries across the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

About African Lion

African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.

African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS

Source: United States Army

TOWER BARRACKS, Germany – In four different communities across U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Soldiers, civilians and Family members ran through colorful, chalky plumes as part of a broad-ranging awareness campaign during April.

The Army Substance Abuse Program, the Family Advocacy Program and Sexual Harassment / Assault Response and Prevention hosted a run at Tower Barracks April 10, 2026 at Rose Barracks and USAG Bavaria – Hohenfels April 17, and at USAG Bavaria – Garmisch April 24.

In addition to the sponsoring organizations, other on-post organizations came out to support the event, including the American Red Cross, USO and others. The month of April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Alcohol Awareness Month, and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. These monthlong observations promote prevention and awareness in the military by promulgating the causes and sharing the corresponding resources available to service members, Army civilians, and their Families.

During the run at Hohenfels, Angela Lane, the deputy garrison manager for the community, talked with the participants.

“While you’re running, please keep in mind what you’re running for: child abuse prevention, and sexual assault prevention, and alcohol abuse prevention,” Lane said. “Every step you take helps raise awareness and reinforces that no one in our community has to face these challenges alone.”

Clarissa Lamar, the Army Substance Abuse Program manager, talked about the events and why the different organizations were teaming up for them.

“We know there are a lot of harmful behaviors that are affecting our communities,” Lamar said. “When we all come together – especially when alcohol is usually at the root of the other functions that we’re here to represent – we think that a collaborative approach is best.

“We do what we can to spread out our resources and make sure that everybody knows that we’re here,” she continued.

Sgt. Pete Schroeder, 7th Army Training Command victim advocate who is based out of USAG Ansbach, supported the run at Hohenfels.

“It’s an opportunity to bring our community partners together,” he said. “We have so many events throughout the year that we have an opportunity to share our community with. This is just one of those opportunities.”

“Anyone can call our hotline, and whether it’s actually SHARP or whether it’s domestic violence or something else, we’re not going to just, say, hang up on them,” said Steven LaPlume, supervisory sexual assault response coordinator. “We’re going to assist them by conducting a warm hand-off to the appropriate agency.”

“They have community support overall from so many different amazing community partners,” said Schroeder. “We’re here to support them in any way they need, and we’re overall a transparent, supportive team. We all work together, no matter what program it is, you can contact us on any of our hotlines.”

Here are some of the resources USAG Bavaria community members can reach out to in times of struggle:

SHARP (Sexual Harassment / Assault Response and Prevention):

ASAP (Army Substance Abuse Program):

Family Advocacy Program:

• Prevention phone line: 09641-70-599-1101, DSN 599-1101,
• Military OneSource: CONUS 1(800)342-9647, OCONUS 00-800-3429-6477, collect with operator assistance OCONUS +1(484)530-5908.
• USAG Bavaria FAP: https://www.samhsa.gov/.

For further photos from the events, visit:

Source: United States Army

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel T. Beltran, assigned to the 809th Multi-Role Bridge Company, received the Soldier’s Medal April 24, 2026, at Tower Barracks, Grafenwoehr Training Area, for rescuing a drowning woman from the Danube River.

The Soldier’s Medal is the Army’s highest award for heroism not involving conflict with an enemy.

Beltran earned the award for his actions Sept. 12, 2024, when he entered the fast-moving Danube River near Ingolstadt, Bavaria, about 70 miles south of Grafenwoehr, without safety equipment during a training event.

Soldiers observed a 79-year-old woman floating face down in the water, unresponsive and drifting with the current.

The river, affected by recent flooding, was moving rapidly in cold conditions, with water temperatures estimated between 50 and 60 degrees.

Beltran said the urgency left little time to act.

“In my mind, it was now or never,” he said. “If I hadn’t jumped in at that exact moment, the current would have carried her farther downstream.”

After receiving approval, Beltran entered the water, swam against the current and brought the woman back to shore.

Once ashore, Beltran directed CPR as other Soldiers assisted, rotating chest compressions while he managed the woman’s airway. She expelled water and began breathing before medics arrived.

Maj. Gen. Michael B. Lalor, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, said the award reflects the Army’s values.

“It’s that combination of personal courage and selfless service, risking oneself to save another and make a difference,” Lalor said.

Beltran said he did not expect recognition for his actions.

“It was more my duty to try to help somebody when the opportunity was there,” he said.

He credited his fellow Soldiers for the rescue.

“It wasn’t just me,” Beltran said. “It was a group effort.”

Source: United States Army

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — The 21st Theater Sustainment Command selected its top squad following the 2026 Best Squad Competition at the Grafenwöhr Training Area, April 19 to 24, identifying the team that will represent the command at the upcoming U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition.

The winning squad, representing the 7th Engineer Brigade, included 1st Lt. Benjamin Flaherty, Staff Sgt. Jonah Mang, Sgt. Marcus Robinson, Spc. Pedro Cardona, Spc. Matthew Falone and Pfc. Cleopheus Lane.

The squad emerged from a field of competitors representing the 7th Mission Support Command, 21st Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 18th Military Police Brigade and 30th Medical Brigade after completing a week of physically and mentally demanding events designed to replicate conditions Soldiers may face in large-scale combat operations.

“This competition is about identifying squads that can operate and win in a contested environment,” said Maj. Gen. Michael B. Lalor, the command’s commanding general. “The team moving forward has proven it can meet the standard and represent this command at the next level.”

Over six days, squads completed events such as the Army Fitness Test, land navigation, weapons qualification, obstacle and confidence courses, and a 12-mile ruck march, often under limited rest and sustained physical stress across extended training days. Each event tested the fundamentals Soldiers are expected to perform in any environment.

Sgt. Maj. Mitchell Ledet, the command’s G-3 sergeant major and noncommissioned officer in charge of the competition, said the event was designed to reflect real-world operational demands.

“We built the events to reflect real-world requirements,” Ledet said. “Everything was aligned with higher headquarters guidance and focused on tasks Soldiers are expected to perform in large-scale combat operations.”

He said coordination across the formation was critical to executing the competition.

“One of the biggest improvements was making sure every brigade had a voice in the process,” Ledet said. “That shared ownership helped us build a stronger, more effective competition.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Denise M. Malave, the command’s senior enlisted leader, said the competition reinforces standards across the formation and develops leaders.

“We are looking for disciplined teams that are consistent under pressure,” Malave said. “That comes down to adherence to standards, accountability and competence in the fundamentals.”

“This places NCOs in positions where they have to lead in real time, make decisions and be accountable for outcomes,” she said. “It reinforces that NCOs enforce standards, develop Soldiers and drive readiness.”

Malave said consistency is what separates top-performing squads.

“A good squad can complete the task,” she said. “The best squad completes the task to standard, under pressure, every time, while making everyone around them better.”

For the winning squad, success came down to discipline, preparation and trust within the team.

“We focused on the fundamentals and building mental toughness,” said Staff Sgt. Jonah Mang, squad leader for the winning squad. “We did a lot of conditioning and running, and it paid off.”

“The radio was the most challenging part,” Mang added. “We had to work through issues and keep going.”

Junior Soldiers said teamwork made the difference throughout the competition.

“We hold each other accountable, but we don’t take it personally,” said Spc. Matthew Falone, assigned to the 7th Engineer Brigade. “We take the correction and move on to the next task.”

“The rough terrain course was the toughest,” Falone said. “It was constant hills, and there was no place to stop. You just had to keep moving.”

“We didn’t know what to expect going into the rough terrain course,” he added. “We had to adapt as we went.”

Lane evaluators assessed each squad’s ability to execute tasks to standard under pressure.

Staff Sgt. Sammy Rubio, a lane evaluator and cadre member, said consistency across conditions and across the team set the top performers apart.

“We are looking for squads that can perform consistently in any condition,” Rubio said. “The winning squad showed that from start to finish.”

“The top squads were consistent across the board,” he added. “You could tell they had trained together, while other teams had stronger individuals but less consistency.”

Six Soldiers from the second-place 16th Sustainment Brigade team will join the selected squad to represent the command at the U.S. Army Europe and Africa-level competition in August, where they will compete against top squads from across the theater.

“This is about building teams that can operate anywhere in the theater,” Lalor said. “The squad moving forward will represent the command against the best in Europe and Africa.”