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Special Operations Command Afric

An Ivorian Soldier plays the bugle welcoming the arrival of Col.Maj. Lopoua Tibe Bi, Ivorian Special Operations commander, at Opening Ceremony-Côte d’Ivoire during Flintlock near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, March 7, 2023. Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command’s premier and largest annual special operations exercise that strengthens key partner nations throughout Africa, in partnership with other international special operations forces. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ashlind House)

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Photo by: Sgt. Ashlind House 

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Special Operations Command Afric

British High Commissioner to Ghana, Non-Resident Ambassador to Bénin, Burkina Faso and Togo, Harriet Thompson, left, and Ghana Army Col. Richard Kainyi Mensah, Army Special Operations Brigade Chief Operations Officer, speak after Flintlock’s opening ceremony at the Joint Multinational Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, March 7, 2023. Flintlock is an exercise focused on improving military interoperability and fostering cross-border collaboration. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Mario Hernandez Lopez)

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Photo by: Spc. Mario Hernandez Lopez 

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Special Operations Command Afric

Nigerien Soldiers, Côte d'Ivoire’s National Gendarmerie, and Ivorian Soldiers stand in formation at Opening Ceremony-Côte d’Ivoire during Flintlock near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, March 7, 2023. Flintlock provides an opportunity, along with other U.S. military-hosted events, for African nations to share their strategies and best practices to accelerate the collective ability to adapt and overcome the terrorist threat. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ashlind House)

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Photo by: Sgt. Ashlind House 

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Special Operations Command Afric

Nigerien Soldiers display the flags of participating countries visiting Côte d’Ivoire for the opening ceremony near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, March 7, 2023. Exercises and engagements like Flintlock highlight and improve joint force capabilities across all domains and strengthen relationships with partners in Africa and worldwide. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ashlind House)

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Photo by: Sgt. Ashlind House 

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Special Operations Command Afric

Commodore Godwin Livinus Bessing, Commanding Officer of Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), provides keynote remarks during the opening ceremony of Flintlock’s maritime portion in Volta, Ghana, March 7, 2023. Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command’s premier and largest annual special operations exercise that strengthens key partner nations throughout Africa, in partnership with other international special operations forces. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Brock)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Charles Brock 

Participants from 29 countries kicked off the command post and field training portion of Exercise Flintlock 2023 with opening ceremonies at four sites across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire on March 7, 2023.

“Partnership is at the very center of every exercise, meeting and speech that happens as part of Operation Flintlock,” said British High Commissioner to Ghana, Non-Resident Ambassador to Benin, Burkina Faso and Togo, Harriet Thompson. “As nations, we will work together to share expertise, knowledge and best practice to strengthen peace and security across the Sahel and Coastal West Africa because we know that a safer, more secure continent mean a safer, more secure and ultimately prosperous world.”

Prior to opening ceremonies, Joint Multinational Headquarters participants completed a host of academic courses provided by Joint Special Operations University to prepare for Flintlock’s comprehensive counter-terrorism scenario involving military and law enforcement actions, intelligence gathering and information operations at various outstations.

Additionally, more than 1,300 participants located in the Ghanaian cities of Daboya, Tamale and Volta, as well as at the exercise’s outstation in Cote d'Ivoire, took part in academic courses on the Rule of Law and honed tactical skillsets with Tactical Combat Casualty Care, close-quarters battle and range qualifications.

“The global threat to terrorism is real, and we need to be ready now because special operations are not created during emergencies,” said Ghana Armed Forces Col. Richard Mensah, Commander, JMHQ for Flintlock 2023. “We can’t always use kinetic means to defeat terrorist activities, but we can involve other non-security sectors to win the hearts and minds of the local population to fight security challenges within the region.” Exercise Flintlock 2023 builds upon the command post and field training events from previous iterations with the purpose of improving joint and combined capabilities across all domains.

“Through close coordination and planning with all of our partners, we have grown this exercise from more than just tactical training event,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Zyla, Special Operations Command Africa, Deputy Commander. “This year, we have expanded our headquarters staff allowing participants the opportunity to increase communication with each other, strengthen our ability to share information, and foster a collaborative environment to address regional security concerns. With the establishment of this headquarters, our mentors from around the world have worked alongside SOCAFRICA and USAFRICOM teammates to incorporate and expand our legal and engagement operations.”

While mentorship dialogue at the JMHQ in Accra, Ghana will focus on military and law enforcement activities, tactical training at the outstations will focus on land and maritime operations.

“These outstations provide unique training to include urban, expeditionary, and a first for Flintlock – maritime,” said Zyla. “We are thankful to our Ghanaian and Ivorian partners for allowing us to utilize these sites for critical training that fulfills the requirements of our partners.”

U.S. Africa Command sponsored exercises bolster partnerships between African and international military and law enforcement organizations, increasing interoperability during crises and operations to increase security and stability in the region.