فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Agadir, Morocco – In a significant boost to Moroccan-American military cooperation in disaster management, the Agadir military port hosted extensive drills today, Tuesday, focused on countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This operation is part of the joint Moroccan-American “African Lion 2025” exercise, organized in implementation of the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
These maneuvers primarily focused on conducting reconnaissance operations, isolating improvised WMDs and radiological dispersal devices, and performing nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical (NRBC) decontamination. The exercise aims to significantly enhance the operational and tactical capabilities of the Royal Armed Forces’ NRBC Defense Company, the Diving Team, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team, all part of the Search and Rescue Unit, enabling them to effectively manage crises involving radiological, chemical, and explosive hazards.
Realistic Scenario Enhances Combat and Rescue Capabilities
African Lion 2025 was designed to train forces in ship decontamination techniques and develop procedures for countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This was achieved through a highly realistic, interconnected scenario. The scenario involved the NRBC Defense Company, the Diving Team, and the EOD Company of the Royal Army’s Search and Rescue Unit intervening to manage an incident involving chemical, radiological, and explosive materials.
The drills, held in the presence of Lieutenant General Mohamed Benouali, Chief of Staff of the Southern Zone, and Major General Daniel Cederholm, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), simulated securing the Agadir port upon the arrival of a suspected vessel carrying WMD.
Subsequently, Moroccan and Ghanaian special forces launched a ship boarding operation using maritime assault techniques, leading to full control of the vessel and securing the area. A thorough inspection by special forces teams then revealed the presence of WMD-related materials and equipment, along with clandestine laboratories and chemical agent containers in various compartments of the ship.
In this context, NRBC Defense teams and EOD teams from the Search and Rescue Unit were deployed to assess and neutralize threats using drones and specialized equipment. Concurrently, divers from the Search and Rescue Unit, assisted by specialized Royal Navy divers, inspected the ship’s hull for any potential explosive devices, while experts from the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapon regulatory agency supervised technical reconnaissance and recommended specific measures for managing chemical agents.
At the conclusion of the operation, the NRBC Defense teams and the Search and Rescue Unit conducted decontamination, triage, and medical care operations, in addition to air and land evacuation of casualties for necessary treatment.
African Lion 2025: Boosting Regional Security and Stability
The “African Lion 2025” maneuvers, which commenced on May 12, are ongoing in several regions across the Kingdom, including Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Ben Guerir, and Tifnit. These exercises aim to bolster military cooperation between Morocco and the United States, enhance interoperability, and strengthen intervention capabilities in a multinational context, all with the overarching goal of promoting security, peace, and stability in the region.
This edition, running until May 23, will also feature parallel humanitarian and social activities, underscoring the comprehensive nature of these maneuvers that extend beyond military aspects to include community service and development.
