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U.S., Botswanan forces hone special operational skills

A Botswana Defence Force looks for members of the opposition force during a halt in movement on a training mission during a Joint Combined Exchange Training in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 30, 2022. JCETS enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes 

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U.S., Botswanan forces hone special operational skills

U.S. Army Operational Detachment-Alpha and Botswana Defence Force members move toward their objective during a Joint Combined Exchange Training mission in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 30, 2022. JCETS enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes 

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U.S., Botswanan forces hone special operational skills

U.S. Army Operational Detachment-Alpha and Botswana Defence Force members practice patrol movements during a Joint Combined Exchange Training in Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana, on Aug. 30, 2022. JCETS enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes 

Special Operations Command Africa forces concluded a Joint Combined Exchange Training with the Botswana Defence Force at the Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana, in September 2022.

Instability and violent extremism remain a threat in Africa, and ensuring African partners are equipped with the knowledge and skill sets to best address these threats is part of joint efforts to achieve stability. Maintaining relationships through JCETs and other engagements illustrates security cooperation between partner nations against violent extremism and other external threats.

The JCET program’s primary purpose is to provide partner nations' special operations units specific training to promote security and stability in Africa. JCETs enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

The U.S.-Botswana exchange was part of a series of U.S. engagements with the Botswana Defence Force that provide opportunities for units to work together, learn from one another, build interoperability, and strengthen relationships. The engagement marked the second JCET collaboration with Botswana in 2022 after the completion of an earlier JCET in March. The two partner forces have conducted various joint trainings together for over 20 years.

U.S. Africa Command special operations forces remain committed to productive engagements with their African partners to ensure greater security across the continent and beyond.