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Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libyan joint forces soldiers march across the parade grounds at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 2 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libya, Italy, U.S. host the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 3 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libyan joint forces Soldiers clear buildings during the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 4 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libyan joint forces Soldiers clear buildings during the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 5 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libyan joint forces Soldiers clear buildings during the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 6 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libyan 3 +3 Joint Military Committee members Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Dakhel (left) and Major Abdullah Al-Mosoudi (right) provides remarks during the opening ceremony at Flintlock 2026, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 7 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libya, Italy and U.S. distinguished leaders gather for a group photo at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 8 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libya, Italy and U.S. distinguished leaders gather for a group photo at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 9 of 19
Flintlock 26 commences in Côte d'Ivoire and Libya
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas Dyrenforth, U.S. Embassy Abidjan senior defense official, speaks at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Côte d’Ivoire, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Edgar Martinez)
Photo by: Pfc. Edgar Martinez
Photo 10 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libyan joint forces Soldiers depart an objective during the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 11 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libyan joint forces Soldiers depart an objective during the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 12 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
A Libyan joint forces Soldier clears a building during the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 13 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Soldiers from over 10 countries sit together to observe the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 14 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Libya, Italy, U.S. host the Flintlock 2026 Opening Ceremony demonstration in Sirte, Libya, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Murakami)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami
Photo 15 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Senior leaders from Turkey, Libya and the U.S. render salutes during the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 16 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Members of the Libyan 3 + 3 Joint Military Committee stand together with Libyan Deputy Defense Minister Abdulsalam Zubi and Libyan National Army Deputy Commander Gen. Saddam Haftar at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 17 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
Senior leaders from Turkey, Libya and the U.S. view a demonstration at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 18 of 19
Libya, Italy, U.S. host Flintlock 2026 opening ceremony
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, U.S. Africa Command deputy commander, arrives for the opening ceremony of Flintlock 2026 in Sirte, Libya on April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller)
Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Katelynn Moeller
Photo 19 of 19
Flintlock 26 commences in Côte d'Ivoire and Libya
A member of the Chadian Army listens to remarks at the opening ceremony of Flintlock 26 in Côte d'Ivoire, April 14, 2026. Since 2005, Flintlock has served as U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise. This year’s exercise brought together more than 30 countries across Côte d’Ivoire and Libya to build lethality and readiness, strengthen counterterrorism skills and increase collaboration across borders. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Edgar Martinez)
Photo by: Pfc. Edgar Martinez
Exercise Flintlock 2026, U.S. Africa Command’s premier special operations exercise, officially began with dual opening ceremonies in Libya and Côte d'Ivoire on April 14, 2026.
This year’s exercise brings together approximately 1,500 service members from more than 30 African and international partner nations to strengthen interoperability and collective readiness.
“I’m happy to announce that our premiere special operations exercise in Africa, Flintlock 2026, has begun,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, U.S. Africa Command Deputy Commander. “This exercise will forge stronger bonds between all those participating and demonstrate our shared commitments to confronting and degrading terrorism in Africa.”
For the first time, Libya is hosting an operating location with joint forces training alongside one another. These efforts are supported by a committee supporting Libyan joint forces efforts, known as the 3+3 Libyan Joint Military Committee.
“Due to the investment of visionary leaders on both sides and the diligence of the 3+3, it is now a reality,” said Brennan. “Security breeds prosperity and this is clearly visible in Libya today and as you’ve seen on the demonstration field in front of you
Co-hosted with the Italian Special Forces, the training location in Sirte will focus on enhancing counterterrorism capabilities and running a multinational Joint Operations Center to improve regional security coordination. Simultaneously, a ceremony in Abidjan commenced at the main training location of Flintlock 26 in Côte d'Ivoire, a key security leader in West Africa. Ivorian-led operations will center around a command-and-control headquarters in Jacqueville, directing special operations units conducting tactical objectives.
“Your presence here reflects our shared commitment to cooperation, collective security, and peace,” said Ivorian Special Forces Deputy Commander Col. Kitchafolwori Sekongo during the Opening Ceremony in Côte d'Ivoire. “In doing so, we strengthen our ability to operate together, particularly in the face of complex and evolving security challenges
Flintlock is an African-led, partner-centric exercise designed to build the sovereign capacity of nations to provide for their own security. By sharing costs, leadership, and expertise, participating nations make a collective investment in regional stability.
The exercise will continue throughout April and is designed to reinforce adherence to the rule of law and the protection of civilians in military operations. Through shared training and collaboration, Flintlock strengthens the network of trusted partners committed to peace and security in Africa.
