Military leaders host Governor Spencer Cox at a multinational military exercise in Morocco

Military leaders from the Utah National Guard, the U.S. Africa Command, Southern European Task Force-Africa, and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces invited Utah Governor Spencer Cox to observe the largest multinational military exercise on the African continent, June 15-16, 2023.

The exercise, named African Lion, demonstrates international partnership which strengthens regional security and counters transnational threats. It is a partner-led, U.S. supported exercise which brings together thousands of participants from roughly 20 countries for weeks of training and collaboration.

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of a robust partnership between the Utah National Guard and the Kingdom of Morocco. What began 20 years ago as a primarily military partnership has developed into a whole-of-state partnership that recently brought civilian and academic leaders from Morocco and Utah together to collaborate on common growth initiatives.

“The Utah National Guard has participated in the African Lion exercise since its beginning in 2008,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Turley, Utah’s adjutant general. “This year the Utah Guard sent approximately 600 Soldiers and Airmen to Morocco for African Lion to contribute their experience and expertise. We are proud of our partnership with Morocco and are impressed with the growth of this exercise.”

Over a two-day period, senior state leaders, including Governor Cox and Maj. Gen. Turley, will observe a medical assistance mission that brings medical care to underserved communities in Morocco, and a combined-arms live-fire exercise that demonstrates combined military capabilities. They will also visit with Utah’s Soldiers and Airmen as they contribute their skill and expertise to building international partnerships and improving regional security.

Photos and videos of these events are available on DVIDS, at the exercise landing page at:

https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AfricanLionEx, or on UTNG FLICKR at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAHTyz

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Media notes: Follow-on press releases will be issued after specific exercise events during this visit. Refer comments/questions to Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber at 801-716-9063 (text) or email at ng.ut.utarng.list.pao@army.mil.