U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training exercise with the Moroccan military on November 22 at the Aoreora Range, south of Agadir, Morocco. This exercise showcased the expanding partnerships and interoperability between the United States and Morocco.
Two U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bomber aircraft from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, departed from England en route to Morocco. Upon entering Moroccan airspace, they were intercepted by Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16s, which conducted interoperability maneuvers and escorted the bombers to the Aoreora Range.
The collaboration demonstrated seamless integration during long-range missions, highlighting the strength of the expanding partnership between the 20th EBS and the Moroccan Royal Air Force. Moroccan and U.S. Special Operations Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTACs) coordinated live munitions drops, guiding the bombers to release two 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) on target. These operations underscored the U.S.-Morocco interoperability capacity and the longstanding relationship between the two countries, strengthening regional security and mutual trust.
Major General Claude Tudor, Africom Director of Operations, emphasized the significance of such missions. “Our ability to conduct these long-range missions across multiple combatant commands in cooperation with our partners on the continent highlights our partnership, continued military-to-military engagements, and training when working with continental partners. These missions reinforce our commitment to African partners and allies while helping support regional and African security,” he said.
The B-52s flew from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom to Morocco as part of a bomber task force mission, reinforcing the U.S.’s ability to project strategic reach, long-range strike capabilities, and provide reassurance of collective defense and security to partners and allies, Africom stated.
This exercise coincided with a visit by U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Africom commander, to Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya from November 21 to 28. During his meetings with Djibouti’s Minister of Defence, Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan, and the Chief of Defence, General Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, Langley discussed current regional security atmospherics and shared security interests, particularly maritime security. Similar discussions were held with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, acting Minister of Defence Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and Chief of Somali National Armed Forces General Odawa Yusuf, alongside U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard H. Riley IV.
In Kenya, Africom’s commitment to counterterrorism operations and regional security was emphasized during meetings with President William Samoei Ruto, Minister of Defence Soipan Tuya, Chief of Defence General Charles Kahariri, and Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard.
These coordinated efforts and engagements highlight the U.S.’s dedication to enhancing security partnerships and promoting peace and stability in the region through collaborative training and strategic alliances.
This is not the first time US bombers are carrying out interoperability exercises in Africa. Similarly, in July 2022, two United States Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, carried out a Bomber Task Force mission to Morocco and Mauritania on 30 June in support of Exercise African Lion 2022 and counter-illicit maritime efforts.
The mission, which lasted more than 25 hours, supported the culminating live fire exercise for African Lion 2022, and then went on to support counter illicit maritime tracking efforts in Mauritania before returning to Texas, US Africa Command (Africom) said.
In June 2021, a United States Air Force (USAF) B-52H Stratofortress aircraft from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on 9 June completed a mission to the Gulf of Guinea and around the West African coast.
Operating out of Morón Air Base, Spain, the B-52H strategic bomber conducted a mission in support of Bomber Task Force rotation, the US Air Force said. The flight over parts of Northern Africa and all of Western Africa highlights the aircraft’s ability to operate in a variety of airspaces.
Similarly, in 7 September 2020, two USAF B-52s—call-signs “Bush 11” and “Bush 12” from the US Strategic Command, flew south to the Mediterranean Sea in support of US Africa Command interoperability training mission.
The bombers linked up with four Moroccan air force F-16s to demonstrate maritime interdiction capabilities by hunting and intercepting the USS Roosevelt, which simulated a hostile vessel.
