Spanish participation in an elite military exercise organized by the US in Africa

The multinational special operations exercise Flintlock 2025 began on April 24 in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.

FGNE, the Green Berets of the Spanish Navy in action in the Indian Ocean
A Spanish pilot shows one of the C-295M of the 353 Special Operations Squadron

The exercise has been organized by the U.S. Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) for two decades. This year's edition includes the participation of approximately 500 operators from more than 30 countries. The multinational training is scheduled to conclude on May 14.

Spanish participation in this exercise is coordinated by the Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE), which reports to the Spanish Defense Staff (EMAD). The three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) are taking part in this event, with their respective special operations groups: the Special Operations Command (MOE), the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), and the Parachute Sapper Squadron (EZAPAC), respectively.

In addition, the Air Force provides a CASA C-295 tactical transport aircraft, the T.21-02, belonging to the 35th Wing, which is part of the only fixed-wing unit specifically dedicated to this type of mission: the 353rd Special Operations Squadron.

The deployment of Spanish personnel participating in this exercise began on April 20th from San Javier Air Base in the Region of Murcia with the takeoff of a C-295. The aircraft made a stopover in Mauritania to pick up the personnel from that country participating in this exercise, before finally arriving at the Jacqueville Counterterrorism Base in the Ivory Coast, where a large part of this exercise is taking place.

The EMAD has indicated that the objectives of this exercise are the fight against violent extremist organizations, the reinforcement of logistical support and the joint employment of units, the integration of a Combined Joint Special Forces Component (CJSOTF) and the improvement of command and control capabilities, intelligence sharing and information operations in the African environment.

"During the initial phase of the exercise, Spanish personnel participated in various academic sessions", the EMAD noted, "which included doctrinal seminars, planning exercises and joint analysis tables. These sessions included the collaboration of African, European and North American forces, and allowed for the exchange of experiences and procedures in special operations, enhancing interoperability."

On April 29, FGNE operators and other MCOE members deployed to the port of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to conduct a collaboration with the Spanish Navy's maritime action vessel "Relámpago" P-43. In addition to demonstrating the vessel to military personnel from other countries, a Security Operations Team (EOS) from the Canary Islands Security Unit (USCAN) of the the Marine Infantry conducted a boarding demonstration.

The images you can see in this article have been released by EMAD and the United States Air Force (USAF) through DVIDShub.net. All the images published on board the BAM "Relámpago" show the demonstration of the EOS that the ship carries on board and the visit made by operators from other countries participating in this exercise.