First intelligence staff training course provided during AFRICAN LION builds partner nation capacity.

Courtesy Photo | Members of the Royal Moroccan army receive an explanation of the RAVEN unmanned aerial vehicle's capabilities from U.S. Marine Maj. Shannon C. Greene during the first intelligence staff training course here, May 13. The course is the first of its type to be facilitated by U.S. Marine Forces Africa during an AFRICAN LION. AFRICAN LION 2010, a combined U.S.-Moroccan exercise designed to promote interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics, techniques and procedures. It brings together nearly 1,000 U.S. service members from 16 locations throughout Europe and North America with more than 1,000 members of the Moroccan military. The exercise is scheduled to end on or around June 9. All U.S. forces will return to their home bases in the United States and Europe at the conclusion of the exercise.  

AGADIR, MOROCCO

05.24.2010

Story by Sgt. Lydia Davey 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

By Sgt. Lydia M. Davey

AGADIR, Morocco — A class of 22 students graduated from the first intelligence staff training course taught by personnel from U.S. Marine Forces Africa during the work-up to a command post exercise here, May 13. The course took place during the early days of AFRICAN LION 2010, a combined U.S.-Moroccan exercise designed to promote interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics, techniques and procedures.

"The curriculum was created specifically to support a request coming from the Moroccans, and it played well into the intelligence requirements built into the CPX," said Maj. Shannon C. Greene, intelligence plans officer with MarForAf. "During the comprehensive four-day course we focused heavily on tactical military intelligence techniques."

Moroccan military students traveled from throughout the country to attend the course, which covered three main topics, according to Greene.

"We taught classes in intelligence preparation for the battlefield or environment, and, with the aid of National Geospatial Agency trainers provided by U.S. Africa Command, we taught a system designed to be able to capitalize on mapping and imagery," Green said. "We provided hands-on training with the Remote Replication System, which analyzes data from imagery and mapping sources."

Students also interacted for the first time with tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems, and were afforded the opportunity to operate the RAVEN UAV.

"Intelligence [gathering] in today's world is an absolute necessity," said Royal Moroccan Army Gen. Farouk, commander of the Moroccan Southern Zone. "The commander must have accurate intelligence to make precise decisions."

Course material is developed around requirements from the RMA, according to Greene.

"We facilitate those requests with appropriate recommendations based on tools we use," Greene said. "Although we introduce some new concepts, their knowledge is largely right on par with ours."

The value of such courses comes through increased interoperability.

"When we look to the future for stability and security on the African continent and in international waters, interoperability with allied nations such as Morocco is going to be critical to our success in a dynamic threat environment," Greene said.

The course concluded with a Moroccan distinguished visitors' day. General officers from the Moroccan military were given demonstrations of RSS and UAS operations, before attending the graduation ceremony.

"As long-standing friends, we need to further develop the capacity to work together," said Farouk. "Regardless of what the environment may present, we will do this."

Plans for AFRICAN LION 2011 include a course proposal for another along the same vein, said Greene.

AFRICAN LION 2010 is an annually scheduled, joint, combined U.S.-Moroccan exercise. It is coordinated by U.S. Marine Forces Africa and is the largest exercise in U.S. Africa Command's area of responsibility. It brings together nearly 1,000 U.S. service members from 16 locations throughout Europe and North America with more than 1,000 members of the Moroccan military. The exercise is scheduled to end on or around June 9. All U.S. forces will return to their home bases in the United States and Europe at the conclusion of the exercise.

• Date Taken: 05.24.2010
• Date Posted: 05.24.2010 12:14
• Story ID: 50180
• Location: AGADIR, MA