RABAT, Morocco -- Special Agents from the Office of Special Investigations recently helped ensure the smooth operation of one of the world’s largest military exercises by providing essential real-world support through briefings and liaison activities, officials said.
Now in its twentieth iteration, African Lion 2024 (AL24) is U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual joint exercise. The annual exercise is designed to enhance readiness and interoperability among U.S. and partner forces including 8,100 participants from 27 nations, including NATO contingents.
"OSI’s role extended beyond traditional force protection,” said Special Agent Brian Watson 2-5 Expeditionary Field Investigations Squadron operations officer. “We provided vital support through intelligence coordination, addressing concerns related to terrorism and criminal activity, and liaising between the Air Force, the Royal Moroccan Air Force, and the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie.”
Upon arrival in Morocco, Special Agents briefed personnel on force protection measures, monitored terrorism and criminal activity and facilitated communication between the Department of the Air Force and Moroccan military.
Watson also highlighted the OSI’s role in ensuring the safety and security of servicemembers in Morocco.
"For [AF24], our role was force protection support for the Air Force footprint in Kenitra," he said.
According to Special Agent Timothee van den Berg, OSI Det. 211 and AL24 attendee, “OSI provided force protection to AL24 team members through coordination and engagement with our partner forces and other host government entities.”
In addition to these duties, OSI was essential for maintaining the safety and success of the exercise, Watson said, adding that this multifaceted involvement was crucial to the exercise's overall success.
“I was selected because I'm a French speaker trained at the Defense Language Institute, and [van den Berg] is a native French speaker,” Watson said. “This linguistic capability proved invaluable, not only for the mission at hand but also for assisting with translation and other unexpected tasks.”
The exercise featured a diverse team of U.S. Air Force Reserve and active-duty Airmen from various units, including the 302nd Airlift Wing and 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. They collaborated with Moroccan counterparts to enhance interoperability and readiness through airdrop, airlift tactics, close air support and aeromedical evacuation.
“Our relationship-building with foreign partners is crucial, it provided us with threat information and cultural insights,” Watson said. “Engaging and coordinating between the State Department and the Department of Defense is always relevant in overseas exercises.”
During AL24, key activities included joint forcible entry exercises and cargo drop operations at Ben Guerir Air Base, Morocco, where Air Force C-130s conducted day and night airdrop missions.
The exercise concluded May 31, and spanned locations across Morocco, Ghana and Senegal, demonstrating the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining strong relationships with allies and partners, Watson said.
“The eagerness of our local partners to work with OSI was amazing, and resulted in a fluid partnership,” van den Berg said. “This partnership, built from the ground up with the help of Special Agent Geebio Gargard [from the Force Protection Detachment, U.S. Embassy in Morocco], bore fruits right away and ensured uninterrupted operations for the AL24 members.”
With AL24 complete, Watson said the planning for next year's iteration is already underway.
“We'll definitely be involved in next year's iteration, starting with the initial planning event, followed by mid-planning and final planning events, and then the actual exercise execution,” Watson said.