{"id":436193,"date":"2025-05-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=436193"},"modified":"2025-05-05T17:49:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T17:49:57","slug":"soldiers-stevedores-set-stage-for-successful-african-lion-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=436193","title":{"rendered":"Soldiers, stevedores set stage for successful African Lion 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/ba63d0a7\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 2<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Army Lt. Col. Travis Michelena, center, the theater support team chief assigned to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command (Forward), speaks with Maj. Joshua Veal, left, a theater sustainment planner assigned to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command (Forward), and their Tunisian Armed Forces counterpart during port operations in preparation for Exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025.Multiple units joined the port operations in an effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/ba63d0a7\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/84a99118\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-49.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 2<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload equipment from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions. This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out the license plate.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/84a99118\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>Back to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.army.mil\/africa\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>GABES, Tunisia \u2014 A stevedore shouted over the diesel hum of cranes as the first storage container was lifted out of the cargo ship and onto Tunisian soil. For the untrained eye, it may have looked like just another port delivery. But for the Soldiers and civilians waiting at the port of Gabes, it marked the start of something much bigger.<\/p>\n<p>This was the opening move in setting the theater for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25).<\/p>\n<p>Without the shipment of 95 pieces of cargo, including vehicles, equipment and weapon systems, the exercise would be dead in the Mediterranean water.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not just moving cargo; we\u2019re enabling the entire exercise to happen,\u201d said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin VanFleet, a mobility officer assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ustranscom.mil\/\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Transportation Command<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/e0e557b1\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-47.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload equipment from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/e0e557b1\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/fa3664a0\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-45.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload equipment from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/fa3664a0\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/28e18382\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-50.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">3 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload the very first shipping container from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/28e18382\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Along with setting the theater, VanFleet also set the record straight. A stevedore, he clarified, is a longshoreman who works at a port and is responsible for moving goods on and off ships.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re the first ones in,\u201d VanFleet explained. \u201cBefore troops land or vehicles roll, we\u2019re on the ground establishing the logistical foundation that allows the rest of the force to operate. That\u2019s how we set the theater.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This does not happen overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Setting the theater is a strategic concept that goes beyond logistics. It means having an adaptable and agile military with the infrastructure, agreements and relationships in place to shape conditions for successful Army, joint and combined operations. The combined force in Gabes validated those capabilities in a real-world environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is my first time participating in African Lion and working with the Tunisians. It\u2019s been a seamless process allowing for the clearance of cargo at a rapid pace,\u201d said VanFleet.<\/p>\n<p>The Portuguese-flagged vessel, BBC Bergen, arrived to a welcome-party of Italians, Americans and Tunisians, highlighting the multinational effort involved. The Bergen&#8217;s journey took two and a half days across the Mediterranean from Livorno, Italy and all 95 pieces \u2014 including shipping containers filled with equipment, trailers, water purification systems, air defense vehicles and M119 howitzers \u2014 were offloaded in less than a day and a half.<\/p>\n<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/07a30ac2\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-48.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload equipment from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/07a30ac2\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/e7d14c62\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-51.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload equipment from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/e7d14c62\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/05355d69\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-43.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">3 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload a generator trailer during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/05355d69\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Multiple units joined the 839th Transportation Battalion\u2019s offloading effort, including Soldiers assigned to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.setaf-africa.army.mil\/\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usar.army.mil\/79thTSC\/\" target=\"_blank\">79th Theater Sustainment Command<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysoldiers.army.mil\/About-Us\/Our-History\/\" target=\"_blank\">173rd Airborne Brigade<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.10thaamdc.army.mil\/Units-of-10th-AAMDC\/1-57-Air-Defense-Artillery-Battalion\/\" target=\"_blank\">1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-57 ADAR)<\/a> and the 240th Composite Supply Company (240th CSC) \u2014 all there to ensure a successful offloading process.<\/p>\n<p>Two members of the 1-57 ADAR accompanied the crew of the Bergen on its voyage from Italy. The escort is a requirement anytime sensitive U.S. military equipment, dubbed &#8220;super cargo,&#8221; is transported on a foreign-flagged vessel.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWithout the port operation, nothing downstream moves forward,\u201d said VanFleet.<\/p>\n<p>This first port operation in Tunisia set the foundation for the broader SETAF-AF-led African Lion exercise, showcasing the U.S. Army\u2019s ability to operate in complex environments. Gabes was simply the first stop.<\/p>\n<p>Immediately after offloading, equipment was loaded onto Tunisian Armed Forces vehicles and transported to exercise locations throughout the country.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/839thSDDC\/\" target=\"_blank\">839th Transportation Battalion<\/a> is unique compared to most Army units. Along with Soldiers, it also employs two U.S. Army civilians and up to 10 local nationals per detachment. During port operations, the assigned detachment leads contract responsibilities, documentation and cargo handling, while the battalion sends military leadership to provide command oversight.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Utilizing our local nationals is a huge asset,&#8221; said VanFleet. &#8220;Some individuals have been doing this for more than 30 years. Their knowledge of the area of operations and relationships with host-nation authorities are critical to mission success.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/480dea5f\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-44.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, work with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials to offload a shipping container during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/480dea5f\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/1f4d907c\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-53.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin VanFleet, second from left, a mobility officer assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, speaks with civilian officials prior to offloading equipment from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/1f4d907c\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/ce3dc49b\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stevedores, Soldiers set stage for successful African Lion 2025\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/size0-full-52.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">3 \/ 3<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Soldiers and civilians assigned to the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, U.S. Transportation Command, speak with the Tunisian Armed Forces and civilian officials prior to offloading equipment from the Portuguese-flagged BBC Bergen during port operations in preparation for exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Gabes, Tunisia, April 8, 2025. Multiple units joined the 839th\u2019s offloading effort to set the exercise theater, validating their ability to deploy personnel and equipment over long distances while maintaining operational readiness. AL25 is U.S. Africa Command\u2019s premier annual exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that strengthens the U.S. military\u2019s ability to respond rapidly, operate forward and train alongside allies and partners. Designed to address shared security challenges, AL25 enhances readiness, reinforces strategic reach and fosters innovative solutions.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2025\/04\/25\/ce3dc49b\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In the first months of 2025 alone, the battalion supported missions in Poland, Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, Italy and Croatia, with additional deployments planned throughout the year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s vital we keep exercising these ports and working with our partners,\u201d said VanFleet. \u201cIt allows everyone to create that muscle memory that only makes our relationships stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>AL25, U.S. Africa Command\u2019s largest annual exercise, brings together more than 10,000 troops from over 40 nations to enhance interoperability and strengthen multinational readiness. But before the first formation steps into the training area, port operations like the one in Gabes must succeed.<\/p>\n<p>Every stevedore handshake and each offloaded vehicle contributes to the larger picture: the ability to quickly and efficiently project lethality anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>About the 839th Transportation Battalion<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The 839th supports both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, functioning as the single port manager for U.S. military cargo entering and exiting strategic seaports in both theaters. Its responsibilities include staging, reception, onward movement, customs clearance, agricultural inspections and overall integration of DoD assets at ports of embarkation and debarkation.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>About African Lion<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together 41 nations, including seven NATO allies, and about 10,000 troops. Led by U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.<\/p>\n<p>AL25 is designed to restore the warrior ethos, sharpen lethality and strengthen military readiness alongside our African partners and allies. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations\u2014preparing forces to deploy, fight and win when it matters most.<\/p>\n<p>African Lion provides an opportunity to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative readiness training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands including U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Central Command; as well as strategic maritime choke points and global shipping lanes.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>About SETAF-AF<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve <a href=\"https:\/\/www.europeafrica.army.mil\/\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Army Europe and Africa<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.africom.mil\/\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Africa Command<\/a> campaign objectives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Follow SETAF-AF on:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SETAFAfrica\/\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SETAF_Africa\" target=\"_blank\">X<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/setaf_africa\/\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/SETAFAF\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/setaf-africa\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvidshub.net\/unit\/SETAF-AF\" target=\"_blank\">DVIDS<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1 \/ 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 U.S. Army Lt. Col. Travis Michelena, center, the theater support team chief assigned to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command (Forward), speaks with Maj. Joshua Veal, left, a theater sustainment planner assigned to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command (Forward), and their Tunisian Armed Forces counterpart during port [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":432907,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-436193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=436193"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":436196,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436193\/revisions\/436196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/432907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=436193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=436193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=436193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}