📋 Tender Overview
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewis, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a picture during African Lion 2025 (AL25) at Agadir, Morocco on May 8, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25), the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations--preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett)
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AGADIR, Morocco - On the surface, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewiss role in African Lion 2025 (AL25) might seem procedural--coordinating accountability, awards and human resource (HR) operations across four countries, including 50 multinational partner nations. But behind the spreadsheets, manifests and morning reports is a leader nearing the end of a 20-year journey through some of the most defining environments in the modern
For Lewis, currently serving as the Plans, Operations and Personnel Accountability (G1) noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) for , AL25 has been both a capstone assignment and a full-circle reflection of what service means.
I was assigned to assist in human resource operations, particularly personnel accountability for the entire area of responsibility, Lewis said. This is my first time supporting , and its been a great experience--setting the HR conditions and procedures across all spokes of the exercise.
A global career, rooted in purpose
Lewis enlisted from Akron, Ohio, in 2005, beginning a career that would span the globe and multiple operational domains. From fueling helicopters in Korea, to serving as a gunner in Iraq, an inspector general at Fort Knox, and now a senior HR planner in Italy--his breadth of assignments reflects a generation of service shaped by war, reform and transformation.
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewis, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo during African Lion 2025 (AL25) at Agadir, Morocco, May 8, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25), the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations--preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett)
Ive been fortunate to serve all over the world, Lewis said. Ive deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, and Atlantic Resolve-Poland. Ive served as a fueler, a drill sergeant and now as an HR professional. Its been a journey.
He joined SETAF-AF in April 2023 after serving as an inspector general with , then quickly integrated into one of the most operationally agile staff directorates in the theater. At AL25, his work enabled the personnel functions that make a 10,000-troop, 50-nation exercise succeed: accountability, essential personnel services and award recognition planning.
Success for the G1 team during AL25 is 100% accountability, timely and accurate HR support and appropriate awards recognition, he said. And thats a team effort--from my leadership to our junior NCOs [noncommissioned officers].
Interoperability through friction
In a joint and multinational environment, personnel accountability is not just a checklist; it is a dynamic, evolving challenge. Working alongside units like the 646th Regional Support Group, U.S. Army Reserve unit under the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and coordinating across language and procedural barriers, Lewis and his team had to balance doctrinal processes with real-world adaptability.
Interoperability is a daily goal, but the friction it creates is also where the most meaningful growth happens, he said. It forces you to communicate better, plan tighter and adjust faster.
He credited U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bridgette Bell, G1 division chief, SETAF-AF, and Staff Sgt. Alessandra Johnson, an HR operations NCO with the same unit, forcreating an environment where clarity and initiative are standard.
Leadership, legacy and the long view
For Lewis, who will soon transition to serve as the brigade human resources NCOIC for the , the pace has not slowed. But he is increasingly aware of his next chapter, especially as he watches his son, a newly minted geospatial engineer, begin his own Army career.
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewis, right, stands proudly beside his son, Pfc.Tristin D. Griffin, following Griffins Advanced Individual Training graduation at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, April 16, 2025. The moment marked a generational milestone as one Soldier nears the end of a 20-year career, and another begins his own journey in uniform. The image accompanies Lewis African Lion 2025 (AL25) feature story on leadership, legacy and service. African Lion 25 (AL25), the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative trai
