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

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sean Carnes | A U.S. Army Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) member and Botswana Defence Force members check their gear before leaving on a training mission during a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana, Sept. 1, 2022. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes)  

BOTSWANA

11.03.2022

Courtesy Story

Special Operations Command Africa

Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana -- Special Operations Command Africa forces conducted a Joint Combined Exchange Training with the Botswana Defence Force that concluded September 2022 at the Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana. Members of the U.S. Army Operational Detachment-Alpha jointly honed special operational skills with their Botswanan counterparts.

Instability and violent extremism remain a constant threat on the African continent. Ensuring our partners are equipped with the knowledge and skill sets to best address these threats is crucial to achieving stability. Maintaining relations through JCETs and other engagements illustrates the strong security cooperation between the partner nations to combat violent extremism and other external threats.

The JCET program’s primary purpose is to provide partner nations 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 Botswana Defence Force that provide opportunities for units to work together, learn from each other, build interoperability, and strengthen relationships. This engagement marks the second JCET collaboration with Botswana this year after the completion of an earlier JCET in March. The two partner forces have conducted various joint trainings together for over 20 years.

U.S. Africa Command special operations forces remain committed to productive engagements with their African partners to ensure greater security across the continent and beyond.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2022
• Date Posted: 11.03.2022 11:15
• Story ID: 432569
• Location: BW