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AFRICOM ready for Flintlock 2020

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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

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Flintlock 2017

Nigerien army soldiers shoot targets under 60mm illumination mortar rounds as a part of Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, March 9, 2017. Skills learned at Flintlock enable warriors in the multinational fight against violent extremist organizations. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Kulani Lakanaria/Released)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kulani Lakanaria 

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Flintlock 2017

A U.S. Army Special Forces weapons sergeant observes as a Nigerien soldier bounds forward while practicing buddy team movement drills during Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, March 11, 2017. Flintlock is a Special Operations Forces exercise geared toward building interoperability between African and western partner nations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zayid Ballesteros/Released)

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Photo by: Spc. Zayid Ballesteros 

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Flintlock 2022

U.S. and Côte d'Ivoire special forces soldiers observe close quarters movement drills near Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on Feb. 15, 2022. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, combined military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner-nation forces throughout Africa, in partnership with international special operations forces, since 2005.

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Photo by: Spc. Timothee Buangala 

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Flintlock 2022

A British Ranger advises Ghana Special Forces Soldiers while patrolling during Flintlock 2022, in Côte d'Ivoire, on Feb. 26, 2022. Flintlock is a multi-national exercise consisting of 11 nations training in Côte d'Ivoire. Flintlock helps strengthen the ability of allies and partners to counter violent extremism and provide security for their people.

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Photo by: Sgt. Kacie Benak 

U.S. Special Operations Command Africa will conduct Flintlock 2023 in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire from March 1-15, 2023, with approximately 1,300 service members from 30 participating nations.

Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command’s premier and largest annual special operations exercise combining military and law enforcement to strengthen African and international special operations forces capabilities. The exercise, which first premiered in 2005, operates on the basis of mutual respect and collaboration to advance the shared interests of regional stability.

“Flintlock will represent the talent of all these countries collectively working to solve the security challenges that pose threats across the region,” stated SOCAF Deputy Commander, Col. Robert Zyla, during a January 13 combined press conference in Accra. “Violent extremism threatens the stability of not only Africa, but our partners around the globe. A safer and more secure Africa will result in a more prosperous global society and security environment.”

Flintlock intends to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, collaborate across borders, and provide security for their people, while respecting human rights and building trust with civilian populations. The robust participation of African and international partners reflects a mutual commitment to countering malign activity and violent extremism throughout the Sahel and West Africa region. While regional security is the focus of the exercise, lessons learned at Flintlock will create lasting effects beyond North and West Africa.

U.S. forces have historically partnered with Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire through multiple military and civil affairs exchanges. Last year, Côte d’Ivoire hosted Flintlock 2022, with more than 400 participants from ten nations. This year’s iteration aims to continue reinforcing the collective ability of allied and partner nations to address key security challenges.