Video Player

Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel Wagner

Download

B-roll: 173rd Airborne Brigade combat engineers sharpen IED detection, threat mitigation skills

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

April 20, 2026 | 1:24

U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal specialists assigned to the 734th Explosive Ordnance Company, 3rd EOD Battalion, 71st EOD Group, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, demonstrate improvised explosive device detection techniques to U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combat Engineer Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), during an African Lion 26 IED detection lane at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 21, 2026. The training built foundational proficiency in detecting, identifying and mitigating IED threats, equipping combat engineers with the awareness and response skills necessary to protect friendly forces and maintain freedom of movement in contested environments.

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. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samuel Wagner)