Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
TUNIS, Tunisia — Military planners from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Forze armate italiane [Italian Armed Forces] and Tunisian Armed Forces convened from Sept. 14–19, 2025, to initiate planning for African Lion 2026 (AL26), scheduled to take place in April across multiple African locations.
The initial planning event marked the beginning of a multinational effort to shape AFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise on the continent. This year’s focus centers on the strategic value of training in Africa, particularly in fostering innovation, experimentation and strengthening joint force capacity to tackle modern battlefield challenges.
“African Lion represents a cornerstone of our shared commitment with Tunisia and our partners and allies such as our Italian counterparts,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Corbett Baxter, exercise director for AL26, SETAF-AF. “It is an opportunity to maintain regional security while building readiness and innovating to make our armed forces better prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow together.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) was a hot topic at the planning event.
Lead planners challenged attendees to explore innovative applications across the broad menu of exercise events. Participants actively worked towards scenarios which incorporate predictive logistics, autonomous ground sensing, forensic analysis and AI-decision support systems. Along with air to ground integration, these efforts aim to validate evolving capabilities while maintaining ethical and operational standards.
Ground sensing is a new feature to AL26, providing an opportunity for U.S. and Tunisian forces to experiment with emerging technological capabilities.
“The Tunisians expressed interest in the employment of ground sensors with their Border Response Unit to detect and respond to threats along the border,’” said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Justin Bandstra, exercise planner for the 2nd Ground Sensor Platoon, 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. “This interest grew significantly when we discussed employing ground sensors and scouting tactics in coordination with Tunisia’s Brigade Special Forces in a passive and active defensive capacity.”
Unattended ground sensors come in multiple varieties such as magnetic, infrared and seismic, depending on the need. They provide a mobile defense in-depth capability that can be emplaced, repositioned or recovered in a short time while also providing long-term lifespans.
In addition, the exercise will feature defensive cyber field training, aeromedical evacuation, air rigging and air drops, a rule of law workshop, as well as joint public affairs and civil affairs integration.
Planning efforts focused on integrating emerging technologies into explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED), and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) scenarios, reinforcing the exercise’s role as a testbed for future capabilities.
A standout feature includes C-130 dirt landing certification — an opportunity rarely available in Europe — offering mission-critical training in austere environments.
“AL26 Tunisia presents the opportunity to land at a real dirt landing strip, offering mission critical training and certifications for our C-130 crews,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Brendan Towlson, airlift planning representative, 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. “Being based in Europe makes it very difficult to find dirt landing zones, so Africa opens up more possibilities for us.”
Tunisian, Italian and American planners also collaborated on scenarios for special operations forces, reflecting a deepening commitment to shared security responsibilities and long-term multinational cooperation.
U.S. partnership with Tunisia extends over 228 years dating back to 1797, when Tunisia was among the first countries to formalize diplomatic relations with the newly forged U.S. In 2015, Tunisia became one of only three countries on the continent of Africa to be recognized as a major non-NATO ally of the U.S.
“Our partnership is based on shared security and stability goals,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Basim Younis, office of security cooperation chief, U.S. Embassy Tunis. “This trust and mutual respect are reflective of our shared vision to enhance joint readiness.”
As planning continues for AL26, SETAF-AF and its partners remain focused on delivering a high-impact exercise that prepares forces for tomorrow’s challenges while reinforcing today’s alliances.
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About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
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