Canadian Army to participate in EX AFRICAN LION

For 10 days in April, nine members of the CAF will be traveling to Agadir, Morocco for Exercise AFRICAN LION 2016. This exercise is said to be the largest multinational exercise on the African continent.

“Canada’s participation in Exercise AFRICAN LION 2016 demonstrates our commitment to preserving peace and responding to humanitarian crises world-wide. As members of a United Nations-mandated task force, Canadian Armed Forces representatives will apply their exceptional skills and expertise to help enhance interoperability among our allies and build critical capacity among participating nations,” said Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence.

The CAF members will be working with participants from 11 nations including Belgium, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. The aim of this UN-mandated training is to advance multinational interoperability and capacity building in the context peace support following a potential regional crisis.

Exercise AFRICAN LION will consist of land, air, and naval contingents. Specific activities for the exercise focus on crisis action planning and operations in accordance with UN standard for peace operations including the protection of civilians and countering gender-based violence and illicit trafficking and training nations in the laws of armed conflict.

“This type of training provides an opportunity for the Canadian Army to reinforce cooperation with multinational forces, strengthen its defence capabilities, maintain strategic posture, and prepare to respond to crises on the African continent,” states a press released issued by the Department of National Defence.

** Featured Image Photo by Cpl D. Salisbury. Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta.PA2014-0084-69**