SFAB advises through partnership in AL25

By Sgt. 1st Class Solomon Navarro May 17, 2025

DODJI, Senegal — In the arid heat of Centre d’Entraînement Tactique 2 (CET2), Soldiers assigned to Maneuver Advisory Team (MAT) 2112, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB), build more than interoperability; they build relationships.

As participants in African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual exercise, the 11-person 2nd SFAB team embedded with the Senegalese Army’s 32nd Battalion to enhance tactical effectiveness and reinforce enduring military partnerships.

“We don’t just show up, advise and leave,” said U.S. Army Capt. Nicolaus Solari, MAT 2112 team leader. “Our role is to form lasting partnerships. The more trust we build, the more we can achieve together, on the ground and strategically.”

That trust has been months in the making.

Leading up to the exercise, the team engaged in key leader meetings, joint training events and informal exchanges that laid the foundation for deeper collaboration during AL25. Those early efforts helped shift the relationship from formality to genuine cooperation.

“When you get past the uniforms and ranks, it’s about two professionals learning from each other,” said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Kevin Dellinger, MAT 2112’s senior enlisted advisor. “We’ve had conversations about family, hometowns and goals. Those small things translate to big results when it’s time to train.”

During AL25, MAT 2112 advised the Senegalese 32nd Battalion during situational lanes, contributed to patrol planning and refined small-unit tactics. This reinforces trust through consistent presence and shared effort.

“We’ve trained shoulder-to-shoulder,” said Solari. “That builds mutual respect. It makes it easier to challenge each other and grow.”

While tactical progress was a priority, the team’s focus on relationship-building reflected the long-term goals of the SFAB mission: empowering partners, strengthening institutions and fostering regional stability.

“Our advisors bring years of experience, but also humility,” Solari said. “We’re here to advise and assist—but also to learn and grow alongside our counterparts.”

The value of the team’s work extends beyond any single training event.

“Every successful advising relationship is a small win that supports long-term regional stability,” said Dellinger. “We may be a small team, but the impact we make ripples outward.”

As AL25 concludes, MAT 2112 leaves Senegal with strengthened bonds and a shared commitment to future cooperation.

“We’ll move on to the next location, and they’ll continue their mission here,” said Solari. “But what we’ve built together, the respect, the understanding, the trust—that stays.”

About African Lion

AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, and about 10,000 troops. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. 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—preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.

For all photos, videos and article throughout the exercise, visit the African Lion feature page on DVIDS.

About 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB)

2nd SFAB, based in Fort Liberty, North Carolina, is a specialized U.S. Army unit trained to advise and assist partner militaries around the globe. In Africa, 2SFAB teams operate under the direction of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), working alongside African forces to build tactical skills, enhance interoperability, and strengthen long-term security cooperation in support of U.S. Africa Command objectives.

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.