Arcane Thunder 24 Builds Partnerships Across Continents and Domains

By Capt. Michael MastrangeloAugust 15, 2024

Maj. Gen. Gainey visits Arcane Thunder 24
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Andrew Gainey, commanding general of the Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), walks with Col. Maj. Mohsine Bensdira, a member of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and other various leaders on August, 12, 2024, at Agadir, Morocco. Arcane Thunder 24 demonstrated theater-wide synchronization as it unfolded in Germany and Morocco. Approximately 300 service members from the U.S., Morocco, the United Kingdom and Germany, are taking part in Exercise Arcane Thunder 24, August 5-16 in Germany and Morocco. The exercise will build on Morocco and U.S. strong and strategic relationship to ensure that partner forces are equipped with the capability to synchronize and employ non-lethal effects across all domains against adversaries.

(U.S. Army photo by Capt. Michael Mastrangelo) (Photo Credit: Capt. Michael Mastrangelo)
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Arcane Thunder 24 Distinguished Visitor Day
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces briefs alongside his U.S. Army counterpart on August 14, 2024, at Agadir, Morocco. The emphasis of Arcane Thunder 24 and synchronizing non-lethal effects is part of a strategic move towards modern warfare. Approximately 300 service members from the U.S., Morocco, the United Kingdom and Germany, are taking part in Exercise Arcane Thunder 24, August 5-16 in Germany and Morocco. The exercise will build on Morocco and U.S. strong and strategic relationship to ensure that partner forces are equipped with the capability to synchronize and employ non-lethal effects across all domains against adversaries.

(U.S. Army photo by SSG Rene Rosas) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Rene Rosas)
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AGADIR, Morocco – Over the last two weeks approximately 300 U.S., Allied, and partner Soldiers from four different countries participated in Arcane Thunder 24, a multi-domain warfare exercise spanning the European and African theaters. The exercise synchronized non-lethal effects and connected two strategic locations by integrating new technologies into various warfare domains. This strategic ability gives a decisive edge over potential adversaries in the region.

Col. Patrick Moffett, 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force (2nd MDTF), stated “Arcane Thunder 24 will apply non-lethal effects within the multi-domain concept to ensure allied and partner nations have a decisive advantage against potential adversaries across all domains and the human, physical and information dimensions of the operating environment.”

Led by the U.S. Army’s 2nd MDTF, Arcane Thunder 24 stands out as a significant step in defining the capabilities of joint and coalition forces between the European and African theaters. The exercise demonstrated theater-wide synchronization as it unfolded in Germany and Morocco. Morocco hosted the exercise for the first time. The efforts to improve security demonstrate the military cooperation between the United States and Morocco. This iteration of Arcane Thunder showcased the ability of both nations working towards integrating force projection and the modernization of military capabilities.

“Arcane Thunder 24 demonstrated the ability to fully integrate the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces as a combined staff by utilizing cutting edge technology,” Lt. Col. Aaron Ritzema, commander of the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB). “The emphasis of Arcane Thunder and synchronizing non-lethal effects advances our partnership in multi-domain operations.”

Arcane Thunder 24 provided the forum for the 2nd MDEB to build on specific capabilities alongside partners in the European and African regions. Specifically, synchronization of effects in the electromagnetic spectrum and non-kinetic domains.

Arcane Thunder 24 Distinguished Visitor Day
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. John Rafferty, commanding general of 56th Artillery Command, interacts with a Soldier on August 14, 2024, at Agadir, Morocco. Rafferty presented multiple Soldiers with coins for achievement during Arcane Thunder 24. Approximately 300 service members from the U.S., Morocco, the United Kingdom and Germany, are taking part in Exercise Arcane Thunder 24, August 5-16 in Germany and Morocco. The exercise will build on Morocco and U.S. strong and strategic relationship to ensure that partner forces are equipped with the capability to synchronize and employ non-lethal effects across all domains against adversaries.

(U.S. Army photo by SSG Rene Rosas) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Rene Rosas)
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Arcane Thunder 24 Distinguished Visitor Day
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. John Rafferty, commanding general of 56th Artillery Command, interacts with members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, on August 14, 2024, at Agadir, Morocco. Rafferty received briefs from U.S. and Moroccan soldiers that participated in Arcane Thunder 24. Approximately 300 service members from the U.S., Morocco, the United Kingdom and Germany, are taking part in Exercise Arcane Thunder 24, August 5-16 in Germany and Morocco. The exercise will build on Morocco and U.S. strong and strategic relationship to ensure that partner forces are equipped with the capability to synchronize and employ non-lethal effects across all domains against adversaries.

(U.S. Army photo by SSG Rene Rosas) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Rene Rosas)
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Arcane Thunder 24 Distinguished Visitor Day
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. John Rafferty, commanding general of 56th Artillery Command, and Maj. Gen Mohammed Benlouali, of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, receive a brief from members of the Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB) on August 14, 2024, at Agadir, Morocco. Members of the MDEB briefed Rafferty and Benlouali on various aspects of Arcane Thunder 24 as part of the distinguished visitors day. Approximately 300 service members from the U.S., Morocco, the United Kingdom and Germany, are taking part in Exercise Arcane Thunder 24, August 5-16 in Germany and Morocco. The exercise will build on Morocco and U.S. strong and strategic relationship to ensure that partner forces are equipped with the capability to synchronize and employ non-lethal effects across all domains against adversaries.

(U.S. Army photo by SSG Rene Rosas) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Rene Rosas)
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“During the exercise we demonstrated long duration unmanned aerial systems, launched effects, high altitude platforms, unmanned underwater vehicles, and electromagnetic warfare sensors,” said Capt. Amy Karlzen, innovation officer for the 2nd MDEB. “Exercises like Arcane Thunder 24 synchronize our capabilities between allies and partners, and strengthen interoperability, not only across theaters, but across domains.”

2nd MDEB served as the headquarters element for allied and partnered soldiers from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Morocco. Together, they worked in a joint, combined environment to test and synchronize their capabilities in land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains. Exercises like Arcane Thunder 24 are crucial for enhancing interoperability among NATO and partner forces to ensure preparation for future conflict.

A key focus of Arcane Thunder 24 is the testing and evaluation of industry technology. Testing of future equipment is injected into the exercise to assess the U.S. Army’s ongoing modernization efforts. This included a series of complex missions designed to challenge the participating forces’ ability to plan and execute operations that leverage advanced and potential technology. By testing new capabilities, the exercise aims to keep the U.S. and its partners ahead of competitors and adversaries with innovation and technology.

Maj. Gen. Gainey visits Arcane Thunder 24
Participants of Arcane Thunder 24 pose for a picture with Maj. Gen. Andrew Gainey, commanding general of the Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, command sergeant major of (SETAF-AF), on August, 12, 2024, at Agadir, Morocco. Gainey and Teakell recognized specific participants from the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force and the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces for outstanding achievements during Arcane Thunder 24. Approximately 300 service members from the U.S., Morocco, the United Kingdom and Germany, are taking part in Exercise Arcane Thunder 24, August 5-16 in Germany and Morocco. The exercise will build on Morocco and U.S. strong and strategic relationship to ensure that partner forces are equipped with the capability to synchronize and employ non-lethal effects across all domains against adversaries.

(U.S. Army photo by Capt. Michael Mastrangelo) (Photo Credit: Capt. Michael Mastrangelo)
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Arcane Thunder 24 boasted the ability to manage multiple command posts spread across more than 3,000 kilometers from Germany to the North Atlantic Ocean and into Morocco. This wide-ranging operation demonstrates the strategic importance of Arcane Thunder 24 in preparing forces to operate effectively in dispersed and dynamic environments. “Arcane Thunder demonstrated our ability to employ new technologies and integrate with a partner nation, all while testing our abilities to deploy the battalion in support of multi-domain operations through the AFRICOM and EUCOM areas of responsibility” said Ritzema.