They are Army General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), decorated with the Order of Military Merit, “Grand Officer Class”, and Major General Todd R. Wasmund, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) (Order of Military Merit, “Commander Class”).

The ceremony, attended by Ambassador of the United States of America to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, also saw the decoration of Sergeant Michael Woods, AFRICOM Officer of Superior Rank (Order of Military Merit, “Knight Class”), and Warrant Officer Heidi Engel, Logistics Planner of the “African Lion 2024” exercise (Order of Military Merit, “Knight Class”).

Speaking on this occasion, Lieutenant General, Inspector General of FAR and Commander of the South Zone, highlighted the contribution of these American officials to promoting cooperation with FAR.

He added that “by awarding them these illustrations, His Majesty the King is also paying tribute to all those who, from near and far, contribute to the continuity and excellence of Morocco-American relations”.

Subsequently, a photographic exhibition was inaugurated retracing the highlights of the twenty editions of the combined Moroccan-American exercise "African Lion", which has become an unmissable event where military executives come together to exchange procedures and experiences, particularly in terms of combined joint training.

Furthermore, the Lieutenant General, Inspector General of FAR and the Commander of the South Zone and Army General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), inked a memorandum of understanding relating to the strengthening of military cooperation between FAR and the US Army.

The high-level Moroccan-American military delegation also visited the various departments of the Oued Eddahab military hospital in Agadir.

Some 7,000 armed forces personnel from some 20 countries, in addition to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), are taking part alongside FAR and the US Armed Forces in the large-scale “African Lion 2024” military maneuvers, which run until May 31.

This twentieth edition of “Africain Lion” attests to the enduring nature of the cooperation between FAR and the US Armed Forces, reflecting the strong long-standing ties between the two countries.