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NEWS | June 28, 2022

U.S. Naval Forces Africa leaders host Royal Moroccan Navy leaders aboard USS Porter during African Lion 22

By U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

Rear Adm. Jeffrey Spivey, director of maritime partnership program, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, hosted CVM Mohamed Tahin, director of employment at Royal Moroccan Navy Headquarters, and other delegates from the Royal Moroccan Navy, aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), June 28, 2022.

The leaders met to discuss their shared commitment as maritime security partners in the southern Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic region. The engagement also included ship tours of the Royal Moroccan Sigma-class corvette frigate RMNS Sultan Moulay Ismail (614).

“I always walk away with incredible insight and a deep appreciation after engaging with our partners on solutions to maritime threats in the region,” said Spivey. “Working together to solve these problems allows our partners to develop the capacity and capability to manage these challenges because no one country can accomplish this alone.”

The maritime portion of the exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, included a naval gunfire exercises, multiple sea-based maneuvers and maritime interdiction exercises.

“Porter is honored to welcome CVM Mohamed Tahin aboard, and we thank him and the beautiful city of Agadir for being such gracious hosts,” said Cmdr. Christopher Petro, commanding officer, USS Porter (DDG 78). “Thank you to the extensive planning efforts of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, the maritime exercise portion of African Lion 2022 was a highly successful demonstration of the enduring partnership between our navies and proved that we are stronger together.”

The U.S. and Morocco have a strong security relationship and routinely work together to promote safety and security. In December 2021, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) partnered with the Royal Moroccan Navy’s Sigma-class frigate Allal Ben Abdallah (F 615) to transit the Strait of Gibraltar and enter the Mediterranean. This January, Morocco, Spain and the United States led a joint rescue operation in the western Moroccan Coast.

Led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, African Lion 22 is executed in four countries: Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia.

Militaries from Brazil, Chad, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom will join U.S. and host nation troops. U.S. participants come from all service components, including the Reserves and National Guard.

African Lion 22 features a joint task force command post exercise, a combined arms live fire exercise, a maritime exercise, an air exercise including bomber aircraft, a joint forcible entry with paratroopers into a field training exercise, a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear response exercise, and a humanitarian civic assistance program event.

The exercise bolsters interoperability among partner nations and supports U.S. military strategic readiness to respond to crises and contingencies in Africa and around the world.

For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and USAFRICOM areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.