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U.S. Africa Command Special Operations Forces train alongside partners in Benin

A U.S. Army Green Beret assigned to Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3212, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) discusses contact drills and squad movement techniques with Beninese soldiers from the 1st Commando Parachute Battalion in Ouassa, Benin, on March 8, 2022. U.S. engagement comes with mutual benefit, upholds international norms, and treats partners as equals.

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Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jael Laborn 

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U.S. Africa Command Special Operations Forces train alongside partners in Benin

A Beninese platoon lieutenant uses a sand table diagram to discuss squad assignments during Joint Combined Exchange Training in Ouassa, Benin, on March 11, 2022. International engagement is necessary to counter violent extremism, and our military engagements are just one way we support African partners as part of an international community.

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Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jael Laborn 

Special Operations Command Africa forces concluded a Joint Combined Exchange Training in Oussa, Benin, on March 16, 2022. The team partnered with members of the Benin 1st Commando Parachute Battalion to hone special operations skills.

Mutual military exchanges such as these signify the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations and shared objective for security cooperation in West Africa. U.S. forces are committed to working alongside their Beninese counterparts as they counter violent extremist threats within their borders.

The JCET program’s primary purpose is to provide special operations units specific training that can only be accomplished in friendly foreign countries. JCETs often enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

These engagements are part of a series of U.S. engagements with the Beninese military that provide opportunities for units to work together, learn from each other, build interoperability, and strengthen relationships. Benin participated in previous Flintlock exercises with other allied and African partner nations. Flintlock is the premier special operations exercise in Africa with 30 participating nations.

“Collaborating with our partner nations is essential to enhance relations moving forward and to address the threat of global instability,” said the U.S. Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Arnold. “This pressing threat requires multinational cooperation to deliver impactful results.”

U.S. Africa Command and special operations forces are committed to mutually beneficial engagements with partners.