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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
TAHOUA, Niger - Col. Mohamed Toumba, Zone 4 Commander, Forces Armees Nigeriennes, or FAN, gives a speech to the dignitaries who attended the Tahoua opening ceremony for Flintlock 2018 in Tahoua, Niger, 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.
TAHOUA, Niger - Col. Mohamed Toumba, Zone 4 Commander, Forces Armees Nigeriennes, or FAN, does a pass and review of the Nigerian detachment participating in Flintlock 2018 in Tahoua, Niger, 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)
TAHOUA, Niger - Col. Mohamed Toumba, Zone 4 Commander, Forces Armees Nigeriennes, or FAN, does a pass and review of the FAN participating in Flintlock 2018 in Tahoua, Niger, 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)
TAHOUA, Niger - Col. Mohamed Toumba, Zone 4 Commander, Forces Armees Nigeriennes, or FAN, inspects international service members participating in Flintlock 2018 in Tahoua, Niger, 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)
TAHOUA, Niger - Governor Elhadj Mahamadou Zéti Maiga, the governor of the Tahoua Region gives a speech to the participants of Flintlock 2018 in Tahoua, Niger, 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. Africa Command Foreign Policy Advisor Robin Cromer discusses embassy coordination during a tabletop exercise. AFRICOM 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)
U.S. Africa Command J5 Civil Affairs NCOIC Sgt. First Class S Rahsann Soumas speaks on civilian-military coordination. AFRICOM 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)
U.S. Africa Command personnel meet with Ghana's Minister of the Interior, the Honorable Ambrose Deby. AFRICOM 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)
NADMO Deputy Director General Joseph Ankrah discusses disaster preparedness. 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)