Media Advisory

EXERCISE FLINTLOCK 10 PUBLIC AFFAIRS

SOCAFRICA / JSOTF-TS Public Affairs
Unit 30401, APO AE 09107
Tel: 0711-729-2253
E-mail: Flintlock-PAO@Africom.mil

Release: 10-04-01
April 16, 2010

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES FOR FLINTLOCK 10

By Capt. Bryan Purtell
Special Operations Command Africa Public Affairs

KELLEY BARRACKS, STUTTGART, Germany -- Flintlock 10, the latest iteration of U.S.
Africa Command’s premier Special Operations Forces exercise, kicks off May 2 in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso, and runs through May 23.

Accredited media representatives may request a schedule of planned activities contacting the
Flintlock Public Affair Office at Flintlock-PAO@africom.mil.

Flintlock is a joint multinational exercise to improve information sharing at the operational and
tactical levels across the Saharan region while fostering increased collaboration and coordination. It
is focused on military interoperability and capacity-building among partner nations, including nations
in Northern and Western Africa, Europe, and the United States. The exercise takes place in the context of the
Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP), supported by the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and the Special
Operations Command (SOCAFRICA).

Flintlock 10 looks to build upon the successes and lessons learned during previous Flintlock
exercises, which were conducted to establish and develop regional relationships and synchronization
of effort across the Trans-Sahara nation militaries.

A Multi-national Coordination Center in Burkina Faso is planned to serve as a focal point for multi-
national information sharing, as well as the planning of synchronized exercises in the region. The
MCC staff will conduct academic training for all participants, culminating in a command post
exercise (CPX). The CPX involves instruction, scenario development and a control group to enhance

E-mail: Flintlock-PAO@Africom.mil
the participants’ ability to work collaboratively toward solving a shared regional crisis involving
illegal activities that disrupt stability and security.

The tactical portion of Flintlock 10 will consist of small-unit combined training and activities
involving U.S. Special Operations Forces and partner nation militaries throughout the region. During
Flintlock10, Medical and Veterinary Civic Action Programs will provide health information and basic
medical care for rural populations.

Scheduled opportunities are planned for Media outlets to view training engagements and exercise
events, and to speak with select U.S. and partner-nation participants. These opportunities are
scheduled to take place in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. Media members may request
a list of dates and places from Flintlock Public Affairs. Events during Flintlock will be conducted
jointly with U.S. and host partner-nation military units.

Media interested in covering the exercise or attending a scheduled media opportunity date, should
send an e-mail request to Flintlock-PAO@Africom.mil. The Public Affairs Office also can provide
fact sheets and answer basic exercise questions.

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