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Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
U.S. and Botswana military personnel pose for a photo following the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running August 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 2 of 15
Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony Sullins, exercise deputy director, delivers an exercise summary brief to U.S. and Botswana military personnel during the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running August 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 3 of 15
Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
Members of the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) band play the U.S. and Botswana Anthems at the opening ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running August 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 4 of 15
Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
U.S. and Botswana military personnel attend the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running August 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 5 of 15
Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony Sullins, exercise deputy director, delivers an exercise summary brief to U.S. and Botswana military personnel during the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running August 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 6 of 15
Distinguished Visitors Day
Distinguished visitors including North Carolina National Guard Air Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Shawne Johnson, Gaborone Technical College Principal Mrs. Lesego Mokgwathise and more tour training syndicates during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, brings together U.S. and Botswana military personnel to enhance regional security, foster mutual readiness, and increase the operational independence of African partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 7 of 15
Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
U.S. Ambassador to Botswana, Howard A. Van Vranken, delivers a speech and presentation of appreciation to the Gaborone Technical College during the closing ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running August 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 8 of 15
Rehearsal of Concept Drill
Members of the Botswana Defence Force synchronize planned operations by conducting a rehearsal of concept drill during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, brings together U.S. and Botswana military personnel to enhance regional security, foster mutual readiness, and increase the operational independence of African partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 9 of 15
Southern Accord 2026 Concludes With Renewed Commitment to Partnership
Members of the North Carolina National Guard and Botswana Defense Force render salutes during the playing of the U.S. and Botswana national anthems during an opening ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running August 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
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Distinguished Visitor Day
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 11 of 15
Rehearsal of Concept Drill
Members of the Botswana Defence Force synchronize planned operations by conducting a rehearsal of concept drill during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, brings together U.S. and Botswana military personnel to enhance regional security, foster mutual readiness, and increase the operational independence of African partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 12 of 15
Distinguished Visitors Day
Distinguished visitors including North Carolina National Guard Air Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Shawne Johnson, Gaborone Technical College Principal Mrs. Lesego Mokgwathise and more tour training syndicates during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, brings together U.S. and Botswana military personnel to enhance regional security, foster mutual readiness, and increase the operational independence of African partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 13 of 15
Rehearsal of Concept Drill
Members of the Botswana Defence Force synchronize planned operations by conducting a rehearsal of concept drill during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, brings together U.S. and Botswana military personnel to enhance regional security, foster mutual readiness, and increase the operational independence of African partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 14 of 15
Rehearsal of Concept Drill
Members of the Botswana Defence Force synchronize planned operations by conducting a rehearsal of concept drill during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, brings together U.S. and Botswana military personnel to enhance regional security, foster mutual readiness, and increase the operational independence of African partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Photo 15 of 15
Distinguished Visitors Day
Distinguished visitors including North Carolina National Guard Air Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Shawne Johnson, Gaborone Technical College Principal Mrs. Lesego Mokgwathise and more tour training syndicates during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 15, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, brings together U.S. and Botswana military personnel to enhance regional security, foster mutual readiness, and increase the operational independence of African partner nations.
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove
Exercise Southern Accord 2026 concluded with U.S. and the Republic of Botswana Defence Force leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening military partnerships and regional cooperation during a Closing Ceremony held August 15, 2026, at Gaborone Technical College in Botswana. The closing ceremony marked the culmination of the exercise, which brought U.S. and Botswana personnel together for training focused on interoperability, planning and shared security challenges.
The North Carolina National Guard and Botswana Defence Force have been part of the State Partnership Program since 2008. The partnership provides a foundation for military exchanges, joint training and professional development, and the Southern Accord allows the NCNG and BDF to share knowledge through realistic training.
“The rigor of this exercise challenged participants to learn new concepts in cyber defense and space operations,” said Deputy Exercise Director, U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony Sullins. “Their ability to work as a team to plan a complex, multi-domain operation like the one you saw demonstrated here today. We integrated plans for the media, Botswana government ministries, Botswana civil agencies and departments, United States Africa Command, United States Space Force and the North Carolina National Guard into one joint task force staff.”
The State Partnership Program extends beyond military activities. It encourages military and civilian leaders to engage in education, science and technology, agriculture and other areas.
“Today marks the successful completion of an exercise that has demonstrated our collective commitment with national security, military professionalism, cooperation and partnership,” said Botswana Defence Force Maj. Gen. Simon Motswana Barwabatsile. “Over the past days, we have witnessed not only the strengthening of operational capabilities, but also the upbuilding of trusting relationships founded on trust and shared purpose.”
Southern Accord 2024 trained capabilities relevant to real-world contingencies, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peacekeeping, and aeromedical evacuation. In 2025, Botswana participated with NCNG and other State Partnership Program nations in a hurricane-response symposium examining lessons learned from Hurricane Helene.
This year, Southern Accord 2026 conducted a joint, multi-domain planning exercise that was a collaborative effort between the Botswana Defence Force, the North Carolina National Guard, and, for the first time, the United States Space Force, with support from AFRICOM. Several functional areas were stood up, including cells for cyber, intelligence, space operations, and the main staff exercise.
“The shared work by Botswana and Americans we saw today is living proof of our enduring partnership. You can see decades of cooperation that benefit both countries. You can see two capable militaries working side by side to make Africa better,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, Howard A. Van Vranken. “Southern Accord 2024 strengthened how we train together. Southern Accord 2026 strengthened how we plan together. As we look toward Southern Accord 2028, we should build upon the lessons, relationships, and capabilities developed during both exercises.”
