Civil affairs, information operations converge in Ghana for African Lion 2024

By PHILIP REGINAMay 30, 2024

US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
U.S. Army Soldiers and Marines pose for a group photo with Ghana Armed Forces soldiers after completing a civil military operations course during African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual combined, joint exercise. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL
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TAMALE, Ghana — Exercise African Lion 2024 (AL24) showcased the integration of civil affairs and information operations, strengthening cooperation and communication with Ghana Armed Forces counterparts over the past two weeks.

U.S. Army Maj. Jennifer Stachura, a civil affairs officer with 437th Civil Affairs Battalion, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, is right in the middle of a 9-month deployment to Ghana. She highlighted the impact of this bilateral collaboration.

US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers and Marines congratulate Ghana Armed Forces soldiers for completing the civil military operations course during African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of AFRICOM’s premier and largest annual combined, joint exercise, African Lion. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL
US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Maj. Edward Akakpo, Northern Command, salutes a GAF soldier while presenting him a certificate for completing the civil military operations course during African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual combined, joint exercisr. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL

"Engaging closely with our Ghanaian counterparts has been truly enlightening,” said Stachura. “These exchanges not only deepen our understanding of our counterparts but also significantly enhance the success of our military operations."

Stachura brought a four-soldier civil affairs team to Ghana, which includes U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Julian Holman, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniell Ledezma and U.S. Army Sgt. Nathaniel McKinnon.

US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ghana Armed Forces Staff Sgt. Sampson Alogo asks questions during a scenario for the civil military operations course at African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual combined, joint exercise, African Lion. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL
US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ghana Armed Forces soldiers ask questions during a scenario for the civil military operations course at African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual combined, joint exercise. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL

"As civil affairs soldiers, our goal is to facilitate cooperation through humanitarian assistance, information sharing with civil authorities, and addressing civilian needs," McKinnon explained. “We aim to share our expertise with our Ghanaian partners during this exchange and improve their capabilities."

Supporting the effort was U.S. Army Capt. Billy Heath, an information operations officer with 110th Information Operations Battalion, 56th Theater Information Operations Group, Maryland Army National Guard.

"Our strategic communications reinforce the messaging that supports civil-military objectives," said Heath. "It's about shaping perceptions positively."

US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
Ghana Armed Forces soldiers receive an after-action review on their performance during a scenario in the civil military operations course at African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual combined, joint exercise. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL

For Ghana Armed Forces Lt. Roland Nettey, a public affairs officer with Northern Command Headquarters, the benefits of African Lion go beyond what he experienced during the civil affairs and information operations training.

“African Lion has benefitted me by allowing us to improve both our bilateral ties with the U.S., as well as the opportunity to improve our relationships with other participating nations," said Nettey. “In future iterations of the exercise, I hope to see more multinational participation. Other African partners would benefit from this training.”

As AL24 continues through May 31, Stachura's team remains focused on the exchange's overarching goal.

US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Maj. Jennifer Stachura, civil affairs team leader, 437th Civil Affairs Battalion, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, salutes Ghana Armed Forces Maj. Edward Akakpo, Northern Command, while presenting him a certificate for completing the civil military operations course at African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual combined, joint exercise, African Lion. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL
US civil affairs trains Ghana Armed Forces during civil military operations course at African Lion 2024
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ghana Armed Forces soldiers, prepare for a scenario during the civil military operations course at African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Tamale, Ghana, May 21, 2024. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual combined, joint exercise. This year’s exercise is scheduled from April 29 to May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 countries, including contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 aims to enhance readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cade Castillo) (Photo Credit: Spc. Cade Castillo) VIEW ORIGINAL

"At the end of the day, it's about connecting authentically with the community," Stachura said. "That's how we achieve true mutual understanding and cooperation."

About African Lion

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest annual, combined, joint exercise African Lion. This year’s exercise will take place April 19 through May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 nations and contingents from NATO.

African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

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