Enhancing Military Cooperation Through Innovative Training
The 2026 edition of the renowned African Lion exercise marked a significant milestone as the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) introduced its inaugural accredited Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) qualification course. This groundbreaking initiative showcased the collaborative efforts of four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the RMAF and two B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the U.S. Air Force, operating over the scenic Cap Draa coastal military training area in Morocco. The JTAC course aims to enhance the Moroccan forces’ capabilities in coordinating with allied forces, underscoring the commitment of the U.S. and its partners to project effective combat airpower on a global scale.
According to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Therron Bundick, who serves as the chief of weapons and tactics for the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS), the inaugural JTAC qualification course equips Moroccan trainees with the skills necessary to direct combat aircraft, artillery, and naval gunfire from forward positions. These controllers possess the crucial authority to authorize airstrikes, thereby ensuring precision while minimizing the risk of friendly fire and collateral damage.
Building Interoperability and Strengthening Regional Security
During the African Lion 26 exercises, U.S. Air Force JTACs from the 165th ASOS and Detachment 1 of the 2nd ASOS collaborated with U.S. Marine Corps JTACs from the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to conduct joint training alongside service members from Canada, Hungary, and Morocco. This diverse coalition facilitated realistic live and simulated training scenarios, enriching the development of a professional JTAC cadre through the exchange of tactics and procedures. This initiative is a foundational step toward establishing a standardized and internationally interoperable JTAC capability that aligns with the demands of modern coalition warfare.
African Lion stands as the largest annual joint exercise organized by U.S. Africa Command, led by the U.S. Southern European Task Force, Africa, typically held from late April to early May. This extensive training event significantly enhances regional security by bolstering interoperability among U.S. forces, NATO allies, and African partner nations. This year, nations including Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia hosted the exercise, which involved an impressive 5,600 personnel from over 40 countries.
U.S. Strategic Command's bomber forces routinely engage in combined theater security cooperation endeavors with allies and partners, illustrating the flexibility and credibility of U.S. forces in addressing the intricate and unpredictable landscape of global security. U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, emphasized that the visible presence of U.S. aircraft over Morocco, in conjunction with RMAF fighters, signifies a strong deterrent and reinforces the U.S. commitment to regional security.
Moreover, this joint training allowed forces to cross-train and leverage each other’s unique operational capabilities. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Chevallier, the air officer assigned to the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, noted that combined live-fire training validates tactics, techniques, and procedures while fostering a shared commitment to excellence among allied forces, encapsulated in the saying, 'steel sharpens steel.'
As reported by eurasiareview.com.
