Firing a M777A2 Howitzer during an African Lion

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Chaos Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), fire a M777A2 Howitzer during an African Lion 26 live-fire exercise at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 21, 2026. The live-fire exercise evaluated the unit’s ability to coordinate, maneuver and deliver precise, synchronized fires in a dynamic environment, ensuring the unit is ready and proficient for any combat mission. AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez)