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Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026

Multinational partners finalize exercise plans during the Flintlock 26 Final Planning Event in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Feb. 23, 2026. Flintlock 2026 is scheduled to bring together more than 30 countries to build collective readiness, strengthen counter terrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami 

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Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026

Multinational partners finalize exercise plans during the Flintlock 26 Final Planning Event in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Feb. 23, 2026. Flintlock 2026 is scheduled to bring together more than 30 countries to build collective readiness, strengthen counter terrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami 

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Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026

A Gabonese Defense and Security Forces member takes notes during the Flintlock 26 Final Planning Event in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Feb. 23, 2026. Flintlock 2026 is scheduled to bring together more than 30 countries to build collective readiness, strengthen counter terrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami 

Representatives from more than 30 African, international, and U.S. special operations forces are finalizing plans for U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual SOF exercise, Exercise Flintlock, in Abidjan this week, Feb. 23-26.

Hosted by Ivorian Special Forces, the week-long planning event ensures all participating nations are synchronized for the exercise, scheduled for April of this year. This year’s iteration will train more than 1,000 participants across Côte d'Ivoire and Libya.

“Strong partnerships in Africa make America and the world safer and more prosperous,” said U.S. Embassy Abidjan Chargé d’Affaires Junaid "Jay" Munir. “To our Ivorian partners, your hospitality and leadership have elevated this exercise to a remarkable level. We are proud to work alongside you to build a safer future.”

Training events are designed to strengthen skills in countering terrorism, collaborating across borders and providing security. Planning and execution will emphasize respecting human rights, building trust with civilian populations and working with law enforcement organizations.

“The objective of this exercise is clear: strengthen trust between partners, improve the fluidity of exchanges and harmonize our information processing procedures,” said Brig. Gen. Lopoua Tibe Bi, Ivorian Special Operations commander. “We are affirming a modern, responsible and strategic vision of the action of special forces.”

Exercise Flintlock enhances our collective counterterrorism capabilities, fostering partners’ operational independence while building U.S. and international special operations forces readiness to confront shared threats and crises.

All questions or media inquiries regarding Flintlock 2026 should be directed to AFRICOM Public Affairs using their ‘Contact Us’ form on www.africom.mil. For more information, visit https://www.africom.mil/what-we-do/exercises/flintlock or https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/Flintlock.