U.S. Africa Command Special Operations Forces train alongside partners in Benin

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes | U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Alpha platoon leader from the 1st Commando Parachute Battalion rally to discuss mission progress during a Joint Combined Exercise Training (JCET) in Ouassa, Benin, Sept. 7, 2022. Partnerships and alliances are the foundation of U.S. defense and diplomatic engagement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes)  

OUASSA, BENIN

09.29.2022

Courtesy Story

Special Operations Command Africa

Ouassa, Benin -- Special Operations Command Africa forces partnered with the Beninese Army during a Joint Combined Exchange Training that concluded September 9, 2022, in Ouassa, Benin. U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) collaborated with members of the Beninese Army’s 1st Commando Parachute Battalion to hone tactical and operational skills.

As violent extremism poses a threat to global stability, safeguarding these borders from incoming threats requires a collective multilateral effort. Engagements including JCETs provide mutual benefits to both partner forces as they enhance partner capacity and strengthen relationships to combat regional insecurity and instability.

The JCET program’s primary purpose is to provide partner nation special operations units specific training to promote security and stability in Africa. JCETs enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

This exchange is part of a series of U.S. engagements with the Beninese military that provide opportunities for units to work together, learn from each other, build interoperability, and strengthen relationships. This recent engagement represents the second JCET that U.S. special operations forces conducted with Beninese forces this year. The two partner forces hosted a March JCET and participated alongside one another in previous Flintlock exercises with other allied and African partner nations. Flintlock is the premier special operations exercise in Africa with 30 participating nations.

U.S. Africa Command special operations forces demonstrate their commitment to their African partners through sustained military and civil engagements across the continent.

• Date Taken: 09.29.2022
• Date Posted: 09.29.2022 08:46
• Story ID: 430343
• Location: OUASSA, BJ