U.S. Military Exercises in Africa 2014
In 2014, the U.S. military has conducted a number of exercises across the continent of Africa. The objectives of these exercises ranged from strengthening the stability of a particular region to improving maritime security, though strengthening security partnerships between the U.S. and other militaries is the top priority for the United States. Below is a roundup of the exercises conducted so far this year.
Bilateral Exercises:
The exercises below were conducted between the United States and individual partner nations.
- Burundi: Peacekeeping Operations training pre-Somalia deployment
This 10-week exercise carried out by the U.S. military and Burundi National Defense Force began in late March “in preparation for [The Burundi National Defense Force’s] deployments to Somalia.” U.S. Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa carried out the training.
According to U.S. Marine Corps Captain Justin Dentel, the training focused on counterinsurgency strategies.
A lot of the tactics being taught are similar to the ones used in Iraq and Afghanistan, because it’s not a conventional war platform, but rather guerilla warfare in urban environments, he explained.
- U.S. Marines train Ghanaian counterparts in non-lethal weapon tactics
This exercise conducted between the U.S. and Ghana took place from March 17 to March 21, 2014. The U.S. Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa carried out the training. The focus of the exercise was to train the Ghanaian Navy in non-lethal weapons tactics.
Captain Travis Posey emphasized crowd control: “We demonstrated basic riot-control tactics and I also tried to give them examples of how they could use non-lethal weapons aboard ship.”
- U.S. Marine and U.S Coastguardsmen train Togolese Navy
This exercise conducted between the U.S. and Togo took place from March 22 to March 29, 2014. U.S. Marines and U.S. Coastguardsmen led the training. The focus of the exercise was “to demonstrate small-boat engine mechanics.”
Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Spencer on the challenge of small boat mechanics:
The hardest part about the situation here that in order to conduct proper maintenance, you need to pull the boat out of the water. With such a high pace of operations, it’s hard for them here to dedicate so much time to maintaining the boats.
Multilateral Exercises:
The exercises below were conducted between the United States and several other nations. These exercises focused on regional capacity building and strengthening partnerships between participating nations.
- Flintlock 2014
This exercise took place from February 19th – March 9th in Niger. More than 1,000 troops from Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Niger, Chad, Canada, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom participated. U.S. Special Forces led the training.
The exercise did not “focus on any particular operation or security situation.”
According to the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Trans Sahel, Colonel Kenneth Sipperly, this exercise “expands” ongoing U.S. efforts to promote “stability”:
Although Flintlock is considered an exercise, it is really an extension of ongoing training, engagement, and operations that help prepare our close Africa partners in the fight against extremism and the enemies that threaten peace, stability, and regional security.
- Saharan Express
This maritime exercise held from March 7 to March 14, 2014 included troops from Morocco, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Senegal, Liberia and European partners. U.S. Naval forces led the training.
The goal of this exercise was to “increase maritime safety and security” in the West Africa region. Saharan Express 2014 exercise director, Captain John Tokarewich, described the exercise:
We will work on interoperability, communications, coordination and familiarization. More than that though, we will work to come together more closely as a team linked by the common purpose of ensuring regional maritime security.
- Central Accord
This 10-day exercise hosted in Cameroon took place from March 11 to March 21, 2014. Military and civilian participants from Cameroon, Chad, Burundi, Gabon, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo and the Netherlands were involved and the focus was on “developing regional command and control capabilities between all participating militaries.”
According to deputy commander of U.S. Army Africa, General Peter Corey the purpose of the exercise was “to promote interoperability and to improve each nation’s ability to command, control and support forward-deployed forces.”
- African Lion
This U.S. and Morocco sponsored exercise took place from March 26 to April 5, 2014. The U.S. 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade executed training. The focus of the exercise was military to military engagement “to improve each nation’s ability to operate collectively and develop a mutual understanding of each nation’s military tactics, techniques and procedures.”
According to Brigadier General John K. Love, the exercise plays an important role in U.S.-Moroccan relations.
Exercise African Lion has a long history and it is very important for the relationship between Morocco and the U.S. We recognize the importance of Exercise African Lion to continue that friendship and partnership between our nations.
- African Partnership Flight Angola
This exercise held from March 24th – March 28th had three participants, the U.S., Angola and Zambia. U.S. Air Forces Africa led workshop and classroom instruction. The main focus of the event was to strengthen partnerships between the three nations.
Angolan air force air chief, Lieutenant General Domingos Adriano de Silva Neto, spoke about the long-term benefits the exercise aimed to have on the region:
During the next five days we are going to have an exchanging of experiences, this will reinforce the abilities of our air force in the region essential for future generations of peacekeeping.
More military exercises will be held throughout the year on the African continent, including the Obangame Express later this spring -- a yearly maritime security focused exercise, in which on average twenty-two navies participate.