By Tyler Main
Marine Corps Forces, Pacific  Print     Share  

AGADIR, Morocco - Col. Roger Garay, Joint Task Force Commander, Exercise Africa Lion 12, speaks with service members at the Sea Port of Debarkation in Agadir, Morocco, April 7, 2012. During his visit, he and the mobility and logistics team there discussed their feat of off-loading more than 200 primary items from multiple transport vessels, conducting more than 20 convoys over hundreds of miles, and stationing wash racks for re-deployment purposes all in less than two days. AL-12 is an annual exercise conducted in various regions of the Kingdom of Morocco, designed to improve interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics, techniques and procedures. (Photo by Tyler Main, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific)

AGADIR, Morocco - Sgt. Maj. Steven C. Peck, Joint Task Force African Lion sergeant major, speaks to Marines from 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment April 7 after they in-processed for Exercise African Lion 2012. These Marines are responsible for overseeing the field training portion of the exercise. AL-12 is a U.S. African Command-sponsored, Marine Forces Africa-led exercise involving various types of training including command post, live-fire and maneuvering, peace support operations, an intelligence capacity building seminar, aerial refueling/low-level flight raining, as well as medical and dental assistance projects. AL-12 will promote multi-national cooperation and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics and procedures. (Photo by Tyler Main, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific)

AGADIR, Morocco - Marines from 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines don their packs and prepare for in-processing after landing arriving in Agadir, Morocco, April 7 to support Exercise African Lion 2012. These Marines are responsible for overseeing the field training portion of the exercise. AL-12 is a U.S. African Command-sponsored, Marine Forces Africa-led exercise involving various types of training including command post, live-fire and maneuvering, peace support operations, an intelligence capacity building seminar, aerial refueling/low-level flight raining, as well as medical and dental assistance projects. AL-12 will promote multi-national cooperation and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics and procedures. (Photo by Tyler Main, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific)

AGADIR, Morocco - Marines from 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines exit buses and proceed to in-process for Exercise African Lion 2012 in Agadir, Morocco, April 7. These Marines are responsible for overseeing the field training portion of the exercise. AL-12 is a U.S. African Command-sponsored, Marine Forces Africa-led exercise involving various types of training including command post, live-fire and maneuvering, peace support operations, an intelligence capacity building seminar, aerial refueling/low-level flight raining, as well as medical and dental assistance projects. AL-12 will promote multi-national cooperation and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics and procedures. (Photo by Tyler Main, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific)

AGADIR, Morocco - A Marine from 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines gets his orders stamped while waiting in line for in-processing after arriving in Agadir, Morocco, April 7 to support Exercise African Lion 2012. These Marines are responsible for overseeing the field training portion of the exercise. AL-12 is a U.S. African Command-sponsored, Marine Forces Africa-led exercise involving various types of training including command post, live-fire and maneuvering, peace support operations, an intelligence capacity building seminar, aerial refueling/low-level flight raining, as well as medical and dental assistance projects. AL-12 will promote multi-national cooperation and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics and procedures. (Photo by Tyler Main, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific)

AGADIR, Morocco, 

Apr 9, 2012 — Nearly 200 Marines from 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, arrived in Agadir, Morocco, April 7 to support the field training exercise portion of Exercise African Lion 2012.

Approximately 1,200 U.S. military personnel arrived in various regions of the Kingdom of Morocco to take part in the annual exercise, designed to improve interoperability and mutual understanding of each nationnâ?s military tactics, techniques and procedures.

Marines of Battery M and Headquarters Battery will work beside Moroccan counterparts to conduct events such as small-arms weapons training, infantry tactics training, battle tank operations, combat engineering operations, artillery operations and light-armored reconnaissance training.

â?All of these events will be bilateral with our Moroccan partners,,â? said Maj. Stephen Sarnecky, operations officer, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines. â?Weeâ?re looking forward to seeing what the Marines and Moroccans can accomplish working side-by-side..â?

The end result of this training will prepare participants to successfully conduct a mechanized, motorized, helo-born, combined arms assault.

The Marines said they look forward to this rigorous training schedule and learning about the Moroccan way of life.

"We all definitely look forward to liberty and getting the opportunity to get out and learn about the culture,,â? Lance Cpl. Michael Fisher said, a combat engineer with 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines. â?IIâ?m also excited to work with the Moroccan military and see how they operate..â?

They will be assisted by Marines from 4th Combat Engineering Battalion, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine regiment infantrymen, 4th Combined Anti-Armor Team and 4th Marine Logistics Group, along with multiple sub-units.

â?Ittâ?s pretty amazing, considering weeâ?ve taken reservists from all across the United States and combined them to ensure this event is successful,,â? Sarnecky said.

AL-12 is a U.S. African Command-sponsored, Marine Forces Africa-led exercise that involves various types of training including command post, live-fire and maneuvering, peace support operations, an intelligence capacity building seminar, aerial refueling/low-level flight training, as well as medical and dental assistance projects.