2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade leads staff exercise at African Lion 2024 in Ghana

Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

TAMALE, Ghana — The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB) is playing a crucial role in African Lion 2024 (AL24) by leading a comprehensive staff exercise (STAFFEX) in Ghana. The STAFFEX focuses on enhancing operational capabilities through rehearsing the military decision-making process.

AL24 started in Ghana on May 13 and will run through May 26. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the exercise focuses on enhancing readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. This joint all-domain, multi-component and multinational exercise, employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access.

The STAFFEX is only one of the many activities taking place in Ghana, all with the specific intent of improving interoperability with African partners.

"This STAFFEX is vital for enhancing communication and decision-making among U.S., Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), as well as the other participating African countries of Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo.” said U.S. Army Maj. Charles Martin, the lead 2nd SFAB advisor for the STAFFEX.

Amidst the mixed audience of GAF and multinational participants, the team of 2nd SFAB advisors spent the first week of African Lion leading participants through the seven steps of the military decision-making process. They will spend the final week of the exercise applying skills learned in a tactical operations center exercise (TOCEX).

"We plan to integrate what was learned in the classroom during week one with what is happening in the real world," explained U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jose Morillo, 2nd SFAB intelligence advisor. "During the TOCEX, we will conduct mission tracking and hasty military decision-making process of 1-175 during their field training exercise."

For GAF participants, the STAFFEX is an opportunity to sharpen their skills as soldiers.

“Participating in African Lion has been very instrumental in enhancing my intelligence capabilities,” said Ghana Army Maj. Daniel Adjetey, an intelligence officer and participant in the STAFFEX.

For the 2nd SFAB advisors, this represents two short weeks within a six-month deployment to Ghana, but the insights gained in these two weeks will inform the success of the entire deployment.

"Any opportunity to advise, assist and train alongside our Ghanaian counterparts supports the 2nd SFAB's mission in Africa," added U.S. Army Capt. Rollin Barton, 2nd SFAB engineer advisory team leader. "Through these engagements, we are not just training together; we are learning from one another, which is invaluable for our collective security goals."

About 2nd SFAB

The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB), assigned to SETAF-AF, specializes in providing security force assistance and advisory support to African partner nations. Tasked with enhancing the tactical proficiency, operational capabilities, and overall effectiveness of African military forces, the 2nd SFAB plays a pivotal role in strengthening defense partnerships across the continent.

About SETAF-AF

SETAF-AF serves as a dedicated headquarters under U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe & Africa, coordinating Army activities across Africa to provide scalable crisis response options.

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