Military Leaders Adjust Scope of Exercise African Lion to Protect Against COVID-19

Military leaders from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal will modify the size and scope of African Lion to minimize exposure of U.S. and partner nation service members to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).



By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Mar 10, 2020
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 1 image

Military leaders from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal will modify the size and scope of African Lion to minimize exposure of U.S. and partner nation service members to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

"The safety and protection of all of our forces -- U.S. and partner nation -- is a priority. Modifying the exercise still improves readiness while minimizing risk to protect both U.S. and partner forces," said Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command. "While the scope of the exercise will adjust, our commitment to our African partners endures."

Scheduled to start March 23, the exercise will now include only portions that do not require lodging of troops in close quarters. It will also include the academics portion that has already begun.

The decision to modify the size and scale of the exercise was made after several weeks of monitoring the COVID-19 situation and in close coordination with host nation military and government leaders.

"We've made tremendous gains in terms of our partnerships with the Moroccan, Tunisian and Senegalese forces, as well as our ability as a headquarters to forge a coalition across multiple countries, force components, national and international organizations. That experience alone makes our military stronger, and our countries more secure," said Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, commanding general of U.S. Army Africa, which executes the annual exercise.

More in Media Room
U.S. Military Chaplains Increase Readiness at SADC Chaplains Conference
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) chaplains participated in the 2025 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chaplains Conference held in Lusaka, Zambia, April 9-11, 2025.
Read more
Flintlock 2025: 20 Years of Enhancing SOF Readiness in Africa
U.S. Africa Command’s annual, combined special operations exercise, kicked off in Côte d’Ivoire today. From April 24 – May 14, Flintlock 25 will bring together approximately 500 personnel from more than 30 nations to strengthen collective readiness in response to shared threats.
Read more
USAFRICOM Successfully Tests AI-Powered Personnel System During Continuity of Operations Exercise
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) recently completed a successful Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercise, significantly bolstered by a use of an emerging artificial intelligence (AI) PowerApp capability designed to enhance efficiency with human resources management.
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Military Chaplains Increase Readiness at SADC Chaplains Conference
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) chaplains participated in the 2025 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chaplains Conference held in Lusaka, Zambia, April 9-11, 2025.
Read more
Flintlock 2025: 20 Years of Enhancing SOF Readiness in Africa
U.S. Africa Command’s annual, combined special operations exercise, kicked off in Côte d’Ivoire today. From April 24 – May 14, Flintlock 25 will bring together approximately 500 personnel from more than 30 nations to strengthen collective readiness in response to shared threats.
Read more
USAFRICOM Successfully Tests AI-Powered Personnel System During Continuity of Operations Exercise
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) recently completed a successful Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercise, significantly bolstered by a use of an emerging artificial intelligence (AI) PowerApp capability designed to enhance efficiency with human resources management.
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Military Chaplains Increase Readiness at SADC Chaplains Conference
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) chaplains participated in the 2025 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chaplains Conference held in Lusaka, Zambia, April 9-11, 2025.
Read more
Flintlock 2025: 20 Years of Enhancing SOF Readiness in Africa
U.S. Africa Command’s annual, combined special operations exercise, kicked off in Côte d’Ivoire today. From April 24 – May 14, Flintlock 25 will bring together approximately 500 personnel from more than 30 nations to strengthen collective readiness in response to shared threats.
Read more
USAFRICOM Successfully Tests AI-Powered Personnel System During Continuity of Operations Exercise
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) recently completed a successful Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercise, significantly bolstered by a use of an emerging artificial intelligence (AI) PowerApp capability designed to enhance efficiency with human resources management.
Read more