1:06 PM8/7/2024

U.S. and Botswana participants in exercise Southern Accord 2024 pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Richard Dickson)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

Botswana Defence Force Col. David Nkete, lead exercise planner with the BDF, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Porter, deputy chief of exercises (G7), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), provide remarks to the media after the opening ceremony of exercise Southern Accord 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by SETAF-AF. Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Richard Dickson)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

Botswana Defence Force Col. David Nkete, lead exercise planner with the BDF, stands in front of the BDF Army band during the opening ceremony of exercise Southern Accord 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

Botswana Defence Force Col. David Nkete, lead exercise planner with the BDF, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of exercise Southern Accord 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Richard Dickson)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

Seth Henderson, lead exercise planner for Southern Accord 2024, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), sits with Botswana Defence Force partners during the opening ceremony of the exercise in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by SETAF-AF. Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

U.S. Army Col. Mark Whiteman, senior defense official and defense attaché with U.S. Embassy Gaborone, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of exercise Southern Accord 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Richard Dickson)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Thanh Kim, theater sustainment planner with the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, sits with Botswana Defence Force partners during the opening ceremony of the exercise in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

Botswana Defence Force Lance Cpl. Malebogo Mojaeti, an aircraft mechanic, and U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jerri Edwards, bilateral affairs noncommissioned officer at U.S. Embassy Gaborone, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of exercise Southern Accord 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

U.S. Army Col. Mark Whiteman, senior defense official and defense attaché with U.S. Embassy Gaborone, speaks with U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Porter, deputy chief of exercises (G7), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), during the opening ceremony of the exercise in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by SETAF-AF. Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

1:06 PM8/7/2024

Botswana Defence Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Eno Seelo, deputy commander of the BDF, provides remarks during the opening ceremony of exercise Southern Accord 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 5, 2024. Southern Accord 2024 is a bi-annual joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Running from Aug. 5-15, the exercise brings together U.S. Army and Air Force personnel and Botswana Defence Force counterparts to conduct a variety of training to include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, as well as peacekeeping and aeromedical evacuation. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)

2:31 PM7/29/2024

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against al Shabaab terrorists on July 15.

9:59 AM7/22/2024

10:35 AM7/9/2024

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III taxis down the runway following a ceremony marking the official turnover of the U.S. compound at Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger. This Nigerien base has housed U.S. personnel and assets to help counter violent extremist organizations in the region. With the closure of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101, U.S. forces will now focus on completing the withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez. (Photo by USAF Maj. Sandy Van Den Mooter)

10:35 AM7/9/2024

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III taxis down the runway following a ceremony marking the official turnover of the U.S. compound at Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger. This Nigerien base has housed U.S. personnel and assets to help counter violent extremist organizations in the region. With the closure of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101, U.S. forces will now focus on completing the withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez. (Photo by USAF Maj. Sandy Van Den Mooter)

10:35 AM7/9/2024

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director for Strategy, Engagement and Programs (J5) and Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou, Nigerien Chief of Army Staff, address the media during a ceremony marking the official turnover of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101 in Niamey. This Nigerien base has housed U.S. personnel and assets to help counter violent extremist organizations in the region. With the closure of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101, U.S. forces will now focus on completing the withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez. (Photo by USAF Maj. Sandy Van Den Mooter)

10:35 AM7/9/2024

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director for Strategy, Engagement and Programs (J5) and Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou, Nigerien Chief of Army Staff, address the media during a ceremony marking the official turnover of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101 in Niamey. This Nigerien base has housed U.S. personnel and assets to help counter violent extremist organizations in the region. With the closure of the U.S. compound on Air Base 101, U.S. forces will now focus on completing the withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez. (Photo by USAF Maj. Sandy Van Den Mooter)

10:35 AM7/9/2024

U.S. and Nigerien military personnel held a ceremony to mark the completion of the U.S. military's withdrawal from Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger, on July 7, 2024. (Photo by USAF Maj. Sandy Van Den Mooter)

4:02 PM7/8/2024

Attendees of the African Chiefs of Defense Conference 2024 pose for a group photo in Gaborone, Botswana, June 25, 2024. ACHOD 2024 brings together Chiefs of Defense from 35 African countries, the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, representatives from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Naval Forces Africa, Special Operations Command Africa, U.S. Air Forces Africa, and U.S. Army Africa in Gaborone, Botswana. Cohosted between the Botswana Defence Force and U.S. Africa Command, ACHOD provides an opportunity for senior military officials from across Africa to discuss topics such as counter terrorism, collaboration in crisis response, and the importance of civilian and military relations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Addysyn Tobar)

3:53 PM7/8/2024

Botswana Defence Force soldiers attend the Botswana Defence Force, during the the C-130 transfer to Botswana, in Gaborone, Botswana, June 27, 2024. U.S. leaders from the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone and U.S. Africa Command participated in the transfer ceremony of a former U.S. military C-130H aircraft to the Botswana Defence Force, coinciding with the African Chiefs of Defense Conference's conclusion. This transfer enhances Botswana's airlift capabilities and reaffirms the strong defense partnership between the US and Botswana, highlighting the US's commitment to regional security and stability in Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mary Linniman)

10:59 AM7/8/2024

The effective cooperation and communication between the U.S. and Nigerien armed forces ensured that this turnover was finished ahead of schedule and without any complications.