U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, fire the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during African Lion 2021, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base, on June 9, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade deployed High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and conducted a suppression of enemy air defense live fire in Guerir Libouihi Air Base, Morocco, June 9, 2021, in order to allow paratroopers from 173rd Airborne Brigade to conduct an air insertion mission as part of exercise African Lion 21.
A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System crew assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, conducts crew drills prior to the live-fire exercise during African Lion 2021, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base, on June 8, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
African Lion 21 is the first time the 41st FAB has conducted a live-fire exercise outside of Europe and alongside African Partner nations since it was reactivated in 2018. This live fire mission was the 41st FAB’s fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series and a sub-exercise of Defender Europe 21.
“Our part of African Lion is a joint operation between U.S. Army artillery and airborne forces,” said Capt. Micah Thompson, battery commander, Alpha, 1-77 FAR. “We will deploy to Morocco and conduct a suppression of enemy air defense fire mission in support of an airborne operation conducted by 173rd Airborne Brigade.”
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, fire the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during African Lion 2021, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base, on June 9, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
The 41st FAB is the only U.S. long-range, precision-strike capable Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems capable unit in Europe. This exercise enhances their ability to deploy to any location across the globe and command and control long –range fires increasing their ability to fight and win as part of a U.S. –led NATO force.
The smoldering heat of the Sahara Desert did little to dampen the Soldiers’ spirits as they continued to train through harsh conditions including sandstorms and temperatures exceeding 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System crew assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, conducts crew drills prior to the live-fire exercise during African Lion 2021, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base, on June 8, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
“This exercise is super important, especially for our new Soldiers who have never deployed, it will give them some hands-on experience in training with our NATO allies” said Staff Sgt. Zariah Fernandez, Alpha, 1-77 FAR, crew chief. “It will also allow us to gain a cultural awareness of our allies and partners, and help us operate with them better because of this shared experience.”
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, speak with Moroccan Ground Troops about the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during African Lion 2021, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base, on June 8, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
During the five days spent in Morocco the U.S. and Moroccan forces interacted constantly, giving U.S. Soldiers a first-hand perspective of exactly what they do on a daily basis.
“I’m very excited to work with the Moroccan Ground Forces,” said Spc. Fleck, HIMARS driver, Alpha, 1-77 FAR. “I’ve been in the Army for two years and this is my first mission, so I am excited to get some hands-on experience.”
Staff Sgt. Zachary Dohrn, A High Mobility Rocket Artillery System crew member assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, speaks with Moroccan Ground Troops, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base during African Lion 2021, on June 8, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
This trip to Morocco was a great opportunity to show the Moroccan Ground Forces the U.S. has the capability to rapidly deploy to any location with their HIMARS, quickly execute a fire-mission, and then deploy to a new location and repeat the process.
“Enhancing relationships with allies and partners ensures the U.S. remain connected to the regional relationships it has developed,” said Thompson. “Additionally, the U.S. is always seeking out ways to improve security, interoperability, and host nation relations.”
Capt. Micah Thompson, Commander of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, speaks with Moroccan Ground Forces, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base, prior to a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System live fire during African Lion 2021 on June 8, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
Alpha battery had just finished Saber Guardian 21 in Bulgaria one week prior to African Lion 21, proving the Soldiers’ ability to conduct multiple missions and redeploy to a different region in a short amount of time.
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, drive their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft prior to African Lion 2021, at Ramstein Air Base, on June 7, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, load onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for African Lion 2021 in Morocco, at Ramstein Air Base, on June 7, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
“As always, it’s the Soldiers ability to adapt and overcome challenges that ensure the success of these exercises,” said Fernandez. “They are constantly training, adapting, and overcoming any situation that they face.”
High Mobility Artillery Rocket System crews assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, prepare for a live-fire exercise during African Lion 2021, at Guirer Libouihi Air Base, on June 8, 2021. The 41st FAB is conducting a suppression of enemy air defense in support of an Airborne joint Forcible Entry during African Lion 2021. This dynamic force employment exercise is their fourth exercise in the Fires Shock series, and a sub-exercise of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Defender 21. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zack Stahlberg)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Zachary Stahlberg)VIEW ORIGINAL
“I just want to thank my Soldiers for their outstanding dedication to the mission,” said Thompson. “Their ability to adapt and overcome challenges has been really impressive, and as a commander, I couldn’t ask for more from my troops.”
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