Marines from 4th Marine Division in concert with their Royal Moroccan Army counterparts put the finishing touches on this year's Exercise AFRICAN LION during the final training exercise in Cap Draa, Morocco on May 28, 2009.

As the Marines and Moroccans maneuvered their tanks, light armored reconnaissance vehicles (LARs), humvees, and other tactical vehicles through the dusty Cap Draa valley, distinguished visitors from U.S. Africa Command, Marine Forces Africa and the Royal Moroccan Army observed the event, which capped-off more than two weeks of bi-lateral combat arms training.

This year's ground combat portion of AFRICAN LION featured infantry Marines from K Company and L Company, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment; an LAR platoon from C Company, 4th LAR Battalion; and a tank platoon from C Company, 4th Tank Battalion.

Throughout the 19-day long training exercise, the Marines worked closely with counterparts from the Royal Moroccan Army in a variety of bi-lateral training evolutions including small-arms and crew-served weapons training, live fire and maneuver ranges, bi-lateral weapons systems familiarization, and the final training exercise.

"We have shot just about every infantry weapons system that is organic to the weapons company," said Major Andrew W. Ralston, operations officer for Task Force African Lion and Paoli, Pennsyvania native.

In addition to the infantry training, Ralston said the bi-lateral nature of the training served as a benefit to the Marines and gave them a unique perspective on different infantry tactics, techniques and procedures.

"This has been a solid learning experience for these Marines," Ralston said.

"It's really good training for the future," said Sergeant Scott VanKeuren, platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Weapons Co., 3/23 and a Baton Rouge, Louisiana native. "Our Marines get the chance to not only operate and train in an austere environment, but they benefit from experience of working with a friendly foreign force."

VanKeuren said the Marines and Moroccans continually sought chances to share perspectives on the employment of their prospective weapons systems and both forces got the chance to get hands-on familiarization training with each other's gear.

"The Marines have had the chance to train with the Moroccans in a way which has exposed them to different approaches and tactics, as well as increasing their knowledge of different weapons systems," said Major Gordon Hilbun, Weapons Co., 3/23 commanding officer and Atlanta native.

As the Marines begin to depart and return to their home units, the conclusion of the ground combat portion of the exercise marks the end of this year's AFRICAN LION.
Throughout the six-week exercise, Marines, sailors and Army National Guard soldiers from a variety of units have worked and trained with the Moroccans to cover every aspect of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, as well as providing humanitarian and civic assistance.

AFRICAN LION is an annually scheduled combined U.S.-Moroccan exercise is designed to improve interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's tactics, techniques and procedures.