Critical Role of 395th Ordnance Company in African Lion 26
TAN-TAN, Morocco – The 395th Ordnance Company, part of the 646th Regional Support Group and the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command of the U.S. Army Reserve, has played an essential role in supporting the African Lion 26 exercise. On April 23, 2026, they provided crucial ammunition storage and distribution through the Army ammunition supply point (ASP), which served as a vital hub for the receipt, storage, accountability, and distribution of munitions. This centralized approach is fundamental in ensuring that military units have safe and reliable access to ammunition during both training and combat operations, adhering to strict safety and accountability standards that are paramount in military logistics.
Throughout the African Lion 26 exercises, the 395th Ordnance Company executed comprehensive ammunition operations, efficiently receiving munitions from overseas and distributing them to various participating units across the expansive training area. From the perspective of the U.S. Army Reserve, ordnance units like the 395th are pivotal in providing sustainment capabilities that parallel those of active-duty forces. These units not only ensure the safe handling and distribution of ammunition but also integrate seamlessly with joint and multinational forces, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness.
Training and Professional Development Opportunities
Sergeant Alecos of the 395th Ordnance Company highlighted the significance of their mission in maintaining both operational effectiveness and safety. He stressed the importance of ammunition accountability, especially given the dangers associated with explosives. The exercise also offered invaluable training opportunities that significantly enhanced unit readiness, allowing Soldiers to operate in a realistic multinational environment while honing their technical and leadership skills. Alecos noted, "It’s fantastic for our unit readiness in that we have a mixture of experienced Soldiers from previous deployments that can pass on that information to more junior Soldiers." This hands-on training experience has proven to be particularly beneficial for Soldiers, as it provided them with opportunities to work with live munitions, an experience that is often limited in routine training scenarios.
Moreover, the African Lion 26 exercise bridged military training with civilian careers, creating unique opportunities for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers. For instance, Sgt. Shawn Cichosz, an ammunition stock control and accounting specialist, emphasized how his military role directly complements his civilian job in shipping and receiving. "This exercise really helps me get to experience that for three weeks and translates directly into what I do on a day-to-day back home," he explained. Beyond technical skills, participation in the exercise has fostered professional and personal growth among participants, with Cichosz expressing enthusiasm about the chance to travel more with the military and enjoy diverse experiences.
In summary, African Lion 26 has reinforced the mission readiness of the 395th Ordnance Company while enhancing its capability to support large-scale military operations. The exercise not only underscored the unit’s broader purpose within the U.S. Army sustainment enterprise but also contributed to strengthening collective security capabilities among the U.S., African nations, and global allies. African Lion 2026 stands as U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, co-led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026. It involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, all working collaboratively to drive regional security innovation.
As reported by army.mil.
