U.S. and Moroccan air forces demonstrate combat power at Exercise African Lion 26

A two-ship U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress formation flew with four Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16s over Morocco on April 23, marking the start of the country’s first accredited joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) qualification course during Exercise African Lion 26, according to U.S. Africa Command.

Running April 20 to May 8 and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, African Lion is AFRICOM’s largest annual multinational drill. The flyover was designed to highlight the ability of U.S. and partner forces to rapidly integrate and project airpower across the region, officials said.

“Their visible presence over Morocco, operating alongside Royal Moroccan Air Force fighters, signals credible deterrence and reinforces the U.S. commitment to regional security,” said Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, USAFRICOM commanding general.

Air Force Global Strike Command said its bomber crews routinely conduct global missions to sustain proficiency, while U.S. Strategic Command emphasized that bomber forces regularly participate in combined security cooperation events with allies to demonstrate flexibility and credibility amid a complex security environment.

“The inaugural [joint terminal attack controller] qualification course trains Moroccan students to direct combat aircraft, artillery and naval gunfire from forward positions,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Therron Bundick, chief of weapons and tactics for the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron. “These controllers hold the authority to clear airstrikes, ensuring accuracy while avoiding friendly fire and minimizing collateral damage.”

U.S. Air Force JTACs from the 165th ASOS and Detachment 1 of the 2nd ASOS are training alongside U.S. Marine Corps JTACs from the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, together with service members from Canada, Hungary and Morocco. Live and simulated close-air support scenarios are being used to mirror operational conditions and promote the exchange of procedures across the coalition.

Bundick said the initiative is intended to build a common, interoperable JTAC framework that aligns with modern coalition requirements. “Morocco’s first JTAC qualification course marks a historic milestone in advancing allied interoperability,” he said. “U.S. involvement ensures a rigorous training environment to establish a lasting foundation for the program’s future.”

Marine Corps Maj. Michael Chevallier, 1st Brigade air officer with the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, said integrated live-fire events enable both U.S. and Moroccan forces to refine their methods while learning from one another. “Combined live-fire training like this allows us to validate our tactics, techniques and procedures under the trusted scrutiny of an allied force,” Chevallier said. “It reinforces that shared commitment to excellence where, as we say, ‘steel sharpens steel.'”

Exercise officials said pairing U.S. strategic bombers with Moroccan fighter aircraft, alongside the rollout of the new national JTAC course, expands the coalition’s options for partner assurance and deterrence across AFRICOM’s theater.