VICENZA, Italy – Paratroopers from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and 173rd Airborne Brigade joined Tunisia Armed Forces in an airborne exercise near Bizerte, Tunisia, March 3-4.

Approximately 50 Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and SETAF-AF parachuted alongside 50Tunisian military counterparts onto the Al Amila drop zone on Sidi Ahmed Air Base near Bizerte, Tunisia.

The paratroopers jumped from U.S. and Tunisian military aircraft, qualifying them for an exchange of foreign jump wings. U.S. and Tunisian soldiers presented each other parachutist badges in a ceremony March 4.

“Wing exchanges are always fun and foreign jump wings are highly coveted in the airborne community,” said Lt. Col. Clay Livingston, the U.S. Army’s lead planner for the exercise. “These paratroopers will always have something they can show proudly and tell others that they jumped alongside the Tunisians.”

While the militaries have joined together in a number of military exercises, including African Lion last year, this was the first U.S.-Tunisia airborne exercise in a decade.

“This jump demonstrated the value of partnership with highly professional and highly capable militaries,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa. Rohling’s SETAF-AF headquarters coordinates all U.S. Army security cooperation in Africa.

“I commend the Tunisia Armed Forces for their robust military capability to plan and execute airborne operations,” Rohling said. “It is emblematic of the professional, deliberate way they go about their business. It makes them a highly valued partner in the region.”

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