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Tunisian Armed Forces Senior Colonel Mguidich Mejid, AL26 exercise director, speaks to the multinational military planners at the conclusion of the main planning event for the Tunisia spoke of exercise African Lion 2026 in Vicenza, Italy, Dec. 4, 2025. During the weeklong event, planners from France, Italy, Tunisia and the U.S., including representatives with the Wyoming National Guard, which shares a State Partnership Program with Tunisia, worked on details to ensure a successful exercise. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest multi-domain, multinational exercise that utilizes innovation and experimentation, supports counter-terrorism efforts, increases joint readiness and enables partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Erin Velazquez, left, a medical planner assigned to the Surgeon Directorate, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), works with Tom Blackwood, a logistics planner (G4), SETAF-AF, at the main planning event for the Tunisia spoke of exercise African Lion 2026 in Vicenza, Italy, Dec. 4, 2025. During the weeklong event, planners from France, Italy, Tunisia and the U.S., including representatives with the Wyoming National Guard, which shares a State Partnership Program with Tunisia, worked on details to ensure a successful exercise. Led by SETAF-AF, African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest multi-domain, multinational exercise that utilizes innovation and experimentation, supports counter-terrorism efforts, increases joint readiness and enables partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Corbett Baxter, left, exercise African Lion 2026 lead planner (G7), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), shakes hands with Tunisian Armed Forces Senior Colonel Mguidich Mejid, AL26 exercise director, at the conclusion of the main planning event for the Tunisia spoke of exercise African Lion 2026 in Vicenza, Italy, Dec. 4, 2025. During the weeklong event, planners from France, Italy, Tunisia and the U.S., including representatives with the Wyoming National Guard, which shares a State Partnership Program with Tunisia, worked on details to ensure a successful exercise. Led SETAF-AF, African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest multi-domain, multinational exercise that utilizes innovation and experimentation, supports counter-terrorism efforts, increases joint readiness and enables partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Corbett Baxter, left, exercise African Lion 2026 lead planner (G7), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), signs the official minutes with Tunisian Armed Forces Senior Colonel Mguidich Mejid, AL26 exercise director, at the conclusion of the main planning event for the Tunisia spoke of exercise African Lion 2026 in Vicenza, Italy, Dec. 4, 2025. During the weeklong event, planners from France, Italy, Tunisia and the U.S., including representatives with the Wyoming National Guard, which shares a State Partnership Program with Tunisia, worked on details to ensure a successful exercise. Led by SETAF-AF, African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest multi-domain, multinational exercise that utilizes innovation and experimentation, supports counter-terrorism efforts, increases joint readiness and enables partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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Tunisian Armed Forces Senior Colonel Mguidich Mejid, left, African Lion 2026 exercise director, speaks to U.S. Army Maj. Jay Jackson, lead planner for the Tunisia spoke of AL26 (G7), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), at the main planning event in Vicenza, Italy, Dec. 4, 2025. During the weeklong event, planners from France, Italy, Tunisia and the U.S., including representatives with the Wyoming National Guard, which shares a State Partnership Program with Tunisia, worked on details to ensure a successful exercise. Led by SETAF-AF, African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest multi-domain, multinational exercise that utilizes innovation and experimentation, supports counter-terrorism efforts, increases joint readiness and enables partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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VICENZA, Italy — The main planning event for the Tunisia spoke of African Lion 2026 (AL26) concluded Dec. 4. This multinational exercise is set to enhance military readiness and strengthen partnerships across the region, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to peace and stability through strength. With Tunisia serving as host nation, African Lion 26 will bring together approximately 600 military participants from the France, Italy, Tunisia, U.S. and other African partner nations.
AL26 is designed to sharpen the lethality of participating forces while countering terrorism and enhancing regional security. As U.S. military officials emphasize, the exercise aims to safeguard American interests through robust military partnerships and advanced training.
“African Lion 26 sharpens our lethality alongside Tunisian and African counterparts, underscoring the U.S. commitment to peace and stability through strength,” stated U.S. Army Lt. Col. Corbett Baxter, AL26 lead planner (G7), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF).
Marine 1st Lt. Joseph Kennedy, an infantry officer assigned to the 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marines, Marine Corps, involved in exercise planning, highlighted the significance of fostering relationships with partner nations.
“AL26 is an opportunity to strengthen relationships with our critical African and European partner nations. For the ground sensor platoon, it’s an opportunity to showcase some of the exquisite, tactical intelligence capabilities the Marine Corps brings to the table and to exchange tactics with our Tunisian partners,” Kennedy said.
The exercise will feature the deployment of cutting-edge technology, including a new ground sensor system designed to capture measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) signatures across the battlespace.
“Primarily, we will be using a ground sensor system designed to capture data from across the battlespace," added Kennedy. "This specific system, to be fielded for the first time in January 2026, is the newest iteration of MASINT ground sensors used by the Marine Corps. As a result, our platoon is on the cutting edge of tactical MASINT collections innovation.”
Multinational military planners pose for a photo at the conclusion of the main planning event for the Tunisia spoke of exercise African Lion 2026 in Vicenza, Italy, Dec. 4, 2025. During the weeklong event, planners from France, Italy, Tunisia and the U.S., including representatives with the Wyoming National Guard, which shares a State Partnership Program with Tunisia, worked on details to ensure a successful exercise. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest multi-domain, multinational exercise that utilizes innovation and experimentation, supports counter-terrorism efforts, increases joint readiness and enables partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
(Photo Credit: Maj. Joe Legros)VIEW ORIGINAL
While multinational readiness and innovation are at the forefront of exercise objectives, Kennedy was quick to emphasize broader implications.
“Personally, I believe the largest impact from AL26 is further strengthening the bonds between American, African and European nations required to promote the prosperity of all of Africa and its significant role on the global stage.”
AL26 is set to take place in various locations across Tunisia and will involve joint training exercises, simulations and collaborative operations aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of all forces involved. The exercise is not only a testament to the enduring partnerships between the U.S. and African nations but also a critical step in promoting stability and security across the continent.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
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