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Securing the Sahel

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Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command's premier and largest special operations forces exercise in Africa.

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Video by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Douglas Parker

More than 2,000 personnel from over 30 African and western nations participated in this year's exercise at multiple locations in Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

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The annual exercise is designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders and provide security for their people. It also bolsters relationships between participating nations' special operations forces and law enforcement agencies.

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