The air show opened Wednesday, October 7, at the Royal Moroccan Air Force Base in Marrakech. The two F-35As, operated by the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, conducted a dynamic flyover over the event that morning.
The U.S. delegation also includes an HC-130J Super Hercules from the 176th Wing based in Alaska and a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Utah Air National Guard. Both aircraft are being displayed on the ground.
Five aircraft fly in formation during the 2026 Marrakech Air Show at the Marrakech Royal Moroccan Air Force Base in Morocco on October 7, 2026. (AFRICOM)
The U.S. participation reflects the military cooperation between Washington and Rabat. AFRICOM highlighted exchanges between American and Moroccan aircrews, technicians and security professionals, as well as joint exercises regularly held by the two countries.
The two sides’ air cooperation includes Morocco’s F-16s and C-130 Hercules aircraft. Their interoperability is also strengthened through African Lion, the joint exercise during which Moroccan and U.S. crews conduct aerial refueling operations using American KC-135 aircraft.
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A presence ahead of the alliance’s 250th anniversary
The U.S. presence in Marrakech comes ahead of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.-Moroccan alliance. Brig. Gen. Matthew French, Air National Guard assistant to the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, said the air show offered an opportunity to strengthen the joint capabilities of American and Moroccan forces.
U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III also highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries, recalling that Morocco was the first country to recognize U.S. independence.
AFRICOM and Moroccan forces also signed a memorandum of understanding in July to establish a multi-domain African training and experimentation center in Morocco.
The 2026 Marrakech Air Show runs from October 7 to 10.
