3:33 PM4/17/2018

U.S. Africa Command senior enlisted advisor, Chief Master Sgt. Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez, met with U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, during a visit to the U.S. Embassy there, April 2, 2018. The engagement was a part of a site to Liberia to meet with Liberia’s military leadership in order to foster partnership between AFRICOM and the Armed Forces of Liberia, following the close of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia, after nearly 15 years in operation. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Grady Jones, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

3:33 PM4/17/2018

Lt. Col. Marc Saphir, U.S. Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia Christine Elder, and U.S. Africa Command senior enlisted advisor, Chief Master Sgt. Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez, pose for a photo, during a visit to the U.S. Embassy there, April 2, 2018. The engagement was a part of a site to Liberia to meet with Liberia’s military leadership in order to foster partnership between AFRICOM and the Armed Forces of Liberia, following the close of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia, after nearly 15 years in operation. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Grady Jones, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

2:57 PM4/17/2018

Enhancing partnership between AFRICOM and the Armed Forces of Liberia after the close of the 15-year United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia

4:22 PM4/16/2018

Soldiers assigned to the Forces Armees Nigeriennes raise the Nigerien and U.S. flags during an opening ceremony at the Joint Multinational Headquarters for Flintlock 2018 at Agadez, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, integrated military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner nation forces throughout North and West Africa as well as western Special Operations Forces since 2005. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mary S. Katzenberger, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)/Released)

4:13 PM4/16/2018

Soldiers assigned to the Forces Armees Nigeriennes raise the Nigerien and U.S. flags during an opening ceremony at the Joint Multinational Headquarters for Flintlock 2018 at Agadez, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, integrated military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner nation forces throughout North and West Africa as well as western Special Operations Forces since 2005. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mary S. Katzenberger, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)/Released)

3:27 PM4/16/2018

12:33 PM4/13/2018

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike destroying an al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Jana Cabdalle, Somalia, on April 11, 2018.

11:54 AM4/12/2018

U.S. Africa Command and Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) co-sponsored a natural disaster response forum in Accra. The event brought together experts in disaster management from multiple organizations in Ghana and the U.S. and was conducted at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, March 12-15, 2018. (U.S. AFRICOM photo by Robin Cromer)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks, commander, Special Operations Command Africa, is interviewed by local media after the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock, hosted by Niger, with key outstations at Burkina Faso and Senegal, is designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders, and provide security for their people. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – Moutari Kalla, Nigerien Minister of Defense, speaks during the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Approximately 1,900 service members from more than 20 African and western partner nations are participating in Flintlock 2018 at multiple locations in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks, commander, Special Operations Command Africa, gives remarks during the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock, hosted by Niger, with key outstations at Burkina Faso and Senegal, is designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders, and provide security for their people. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – Moutari Kalla, Nigerien Minister of Defense, and Amb. Eric Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to Niger, observe the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, integrated military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner nation forces throughout North and West Africa as well as western Special Operations Forces since 2005. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – Nigerien troops stand in formation prior to the start of the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, integrated military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner nation forces throughout North and West Africa as well as western Special Operations Forces since 2005. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – Amb. Eric Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to Niger, gives a speech during the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, integrated military and law enforcement exercise that has strengthened key partner nation forces throughout North and West Africa as well as western Special Operations Forces since 2005. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – Col. Maj. Sani Mahamane Laminou, Flintlock Exercise Director, speaks during the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock, hosted by Niger, with key outstations at Burkina Faso and Senegal, is designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders, and provide security for their people. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks, commander, Special Operations Command Africa, applauds during the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Approximately 1,900 service members from more than 20 African and western partner nations are participating in Flintlock 2018 at multiple locations in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:25 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – Moutari Kalla, Nigerien Minister of Defense, inspects the troops to start off the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Approximately 1,900 service members from more than 20 African and western partner nations are participating in Flintlock 2018 at multiple locations in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:24 AM4/12/2018

NIAMEY, Niger – A Nigerien Soldier marches across the airfield at the start of the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 in Niamey, Niger, April 11, 2018. Flintlock, hosted by Niger, with key outstations at Burkina Faso and Senegal, is designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders, and provide security for their people. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

10:10 AM4/12/2018

Exercise Flintlock 2018 officially kicked off during an opening ceremony April. 11, 2018 in Niamey, Niger.

10:03 AM4/12/2018

TAHOUA, Niger - Capt. Neal a U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha Commander in 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), addresses dignitaries during the Tahoua opening ceremony of Flintlock 2018 April 11, 2018. Flintlock 2018, hosted by Niger, with key outstations at Burkina Faso and Senegal, is designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders, and provide security for their people. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kulani Lakanaria/RELEASED)