Flintlock 2017 gets underway in Burkina Faso

Seven African host nations are participating in this year's exercise

By Sgt. Benjamin Northcutt , 3RD Special Forces Group Mar 02, 2017

View Gallery

Gallery contains 4 images

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso - U.S. Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha teams, partnered with the host nations of Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia, have begun training in the multi-nation exercise Flintlock 2017.

The first Flintlock was conducted in 2005 with Senegal as the host nation. Flintlock provides a unique opportunity to enhance regional coordination and address common security challenges.

Flintlock is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command with planning led by U.S. Special Operations Command-Africa in conjunction with partner nations.

This year’s exercise includes military forces from over 20 nations demonstrating regional cooperation in training in small unit tactics, information sharing, communications, first aid, combat life-saver, weapons training, and other military operations.

Burkina Faso hosted an opening ceremony Feb. 27, 2017 at Camp Zagre.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso, David Young, gave an opening speech where he welcomed U.S. Special Forces from Fort Bragg, North Carolina and thanked military personnel from Burkina Faso for participating in Flintlock 2017.

Flintlock is designed to build the capacity of key African partner nations to provide better security for civilian populations. Strong partnerships are key to denying cross-border attacks by violent extremist organizations.

"One of the goals of this exercise is to prepare partner forces for the daunting task of countering extremist organizations," said Young.

Following Young, the Burkina Faso Army Chief of Staff, Colonel Major TN Pale, talked about the cooperation between all the participating nations.

"We hope all objectives we are trying to reach through this exercise will be achieved," said Pale, "and we also wish the same for the different efforts to secure and defend our territories."

Pale concluded his remakrs by declaring Flintlock 2017 underway.

“Long live the relationship between the different countries and the armed forces of our countries,” said Pale.

US and Southern African Chaplains Forge Bonds of Cooperation in Zambia

Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al-Shabaab

U.S. Africa Command Civilian Casualty Assessment Report; 1st Quarter, FY2024

U.S. forces engage insurgents in support of the Federal Government of Somalia

USAFE-AFAFRICA Airmen team with Zambian counterparts for Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Tema, Ghana

The U.S. and Ghana share a strong history of promoting maritime peace and stability in the Gulf of Guinea. The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Tema, Ghana for a routine port visit, Oct. 2, 2023.

Communications directorate keeps HOA connected

The Expeditionary Communications Directorate’s overall mission is to provide the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with the best advice on equipment and capability while advancing cyber defense, and joint and coalition interoperability. This enables the joint force to develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic access, influence, operations, and regional security throughout East Africa.

U.S. Africa Command Hosts the 2023 Strategic Religious Affairs Conference

U.S. Africa Command held its annual strategic religious affairs conference at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, from Aug. 15-17, 2023. Chaplains and their Senior Enlisted Religious Affairs Advisors joined from U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) Service Component Commands, U.S. National Guards State Partnership Program, Department of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. European Command.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Tema, Ghana

Communications directorate keeps HOA connected

U.S. Africa Command Hosts the 2023 Strategic Religious Affairs Conference

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Tema, Ghana

Communications directorate keeps HOA connected

U.S. Africa Command Hosts the 2023 Strategic Religious Affairs Conference

United States Africa Command

Flintlock 2017 gets underway in Burkina Faso

Seven African host nations are participating in this year's exercise

Flintlock 17 begins

Flintlock 17 begins

Flintlock 17 begins

Flintlock 17 begins

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso - U.S. Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha teams, partnered with the host nations of Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia, have begun training in the multi-nation exercise Flintlock 2017.

The first Flintlock was conducted in 2005 with Senegal as the host nation. Flintlock provides a unique opportunity to enhance regional coordination and address common security challenges.

Flintlock is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command with planning led by U.S. Special Operations Command-Africa in conjunction with partner nations.

This year’s exercise includes military forces from over 20 nations demonstrating regional cooperation in training in small unit tactics, information sharing, communications, first aid, combat life-saver, weapons training, and other military operations.

Burkina Faso hosted an opening ceremony Feb. 27, 2017 at Camp Zagre.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso, David Young, gave an opening speech where he welcomed U.S. Special Forces from Fort Bragg, North Carolina and thanked military personnel from Burkina Faso for participating in Flintlock 2017.

Flintlock is designed to build the capacity of key African partner nations to provide better security for civilian populations. Strong partnerships are key to denying cross-border attacks by violent extremist organizations.

"One of the goals of this exercise is to prepare partner forces for the daunting task of countering extremist organizations," said Young.

Following Young, the Burkina Faso Army Chief of Staff, Colonel Major TN Pale, talked about the cooperation between all the participating nations.

"We hope all objectives we are trying to reach through this exercise will be achieved," said Pale, "and we also wish the same for the different efforts to secure and defend our territories."

Pale concluded his remakrs by declaring Flintlock 2017 underway.

“Long live the relationship between the different countries and the armed forces of our countries,” said Pale.