Elite military groups from Spain, the US and other countries in a training in Africa

@DefAviation ES 3·12·2023 · 21:05 0

The United States Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) has organized the multinational exercise Flintlock, which it has been running since 2005.

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This year's exercise has been held in the Ivory Coast and Ghana, and elite military groups from the United States, Canada and several European and African countries, including Spain, have gathered. This exercise is of notable importance to strengthen ties with the military forces of the Sahel, especially at a time when Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group and jihadist groups are making great efforts to generate instability in the area.

As reported by the Defense Staff of Spain, 29 Spanish soldiers and civil guards have participated in this exercise, specifically personnel from the Joint Command of Special Operations (MCOE), the Army's Special Operations Command (MOE), the Navy's Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), the Parachute Sapper Squad (EZAPAC) of the Air Force and the Rapid Action Group (GAR) of the Civil Guard, as well as the Maritime Action Vessel (BAM) "Audaz" of the Spanish Navy.

The United States Army and SOCAFRICA have released images of this exercise, some of which reflect Spanish participation. You can see them below.

A Spanish operator, probably from the MOE, firing a Heckler & Koch G36K. The pistol he carries is a Heckler & Koch USP.

An MOE operator with a Heckler & Koch HK416.

An MOE operator examining the marksmanship of an Ivorian soldier.

A GAR civil guard firing from a Heckler & Koch HK416 in Volta, Ghana, on March 7.

Cape Verdean soldiers aboard the BAM "Audaz" in Accra, Ghana, on March 9.

An MOE operator with a G36 slung on his back during a firing exercise in Volta, Ghana, on March 7. In the background we see a Cape Verdean soldier with an AKMS.

The BA, "Audaz" moored in Volta, Ghana, on March 7. This Spanish ship served as the setting for assault training during this exercise.

Ivorian soldiers training on the flight deck of the AUDaz ABM in Volta, Ghana, on March 9.

A GAR civil guard firing a G36K in Volta, Ghana, on March 9.

An FGNE operator with an Ivorian soldier during a firing exercise in Volta, Ghana, on March 7.

A member of the United States Special Forces in training with Ghanaian soldiers in Daboya, Ghana, on March 2.

An MOE member firing from an HK416 in Volta, Ghana, on March 7.

A Cape Verdean soldier firing the HK416 of an MOE operator.

US Marine Colonel Robert Zyla, Deputy Commander of SOCAFRICA, firing an MK18 carbine in Accra, Ghana, on March 8.

An MOE operator observing the firing practice of a Cape Verdean soldier. The African soldier is shooting with the HK416 of the Spanish soldier.

An operator from the US Marines' Marine Raider Regiment watches a Ghanaian soldier practice shooting with an M-16A2 in Accra, Ghana, on March 8.