Exercice African Lion 2011 (FRA)

KENITRA, Morocco -- Marines and Moroccans met in the sky to conduct air-to-air refueling operations here as part of African Lion 2011, May 19 and 20 as part of exercise African Lion 2011.

African Lion is an annually scheduled, bilateral U.S. and Moroccan military exercise designed to promote interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation’s military tactics, techniques and procedures.

A detachment of KC-130T’s from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, a Marine Corps Reserve aviation unit headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, participated in the training.

Maj. Kevin Mattix, detachment operations officer for VMGR 234, explained the goal of this bilateral training was to practice air-to-air refueling skills for American refueler crews and the receiving Moroccan aircraft pilots.

“It helps our aircrews see how the Moroccans do things, the way they communicate,” he said. “And, when we fly with them we can observe their procedures and learn things from them as well.”

Once the aircrafts were airborne and in the training area, Moroccan jets came up along side the KC-130T in formation and waited to begin the mid-air training.

The Marine crew extended the fuel hose from the aircraft an estimated 100 feet with the refueling drogue trailing at the end like a big white target. The Moroccan pilots showed their skill by threading the needle-like refueling probe into the dangling fuel line. One by one the jets coupled and received fuel.

“The jet guys were making all the right calls,” said Lance Cpl. Juan Vanegas, a loadmaster with VMGR 234. “They were pretty proficient in making contact with us.”

This training allows the Moroccans to observe Marine standard procedures for refueling, and they seem to enjoy the camaraderie flying with Americans, observed Mattix.

Once all the jets had refueled, the KC-130T flew south and landed in Agadir, their training mission completed successfully.

“It’s nice working with our international allies,” said Lt. Col. Gordon Ford, officer in charge of the VMGR 234 detachment, adding that the Moroccans were gracious hosts and very professional.

“I think the most rewarding thing is the camaraderie that you have with another country and another set of pilots,” concluded Mattix.

This year’s African Lion exercise, the 8th annual iteration, brings together more than 2,000 U.S. service members from multiple locations throughout Europe and North America with more than 900 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.

It is the largest exercise within the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. All U.S. forces will return to their home bases in the United States and Europe at the conclusion of the exercise.



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