MANSFIELD, Ohio (02/19/17) — About 60 members of the 179th Airlift Wing departed for nearly a month to Africa to support Flintlock, an annual regional exercise among African, allied and U.S. counterterrorism forces.
A majority of the members are from the 164th Airlift Squadron and will be flying C-130H Hercules aircraft as part of the exercise.
The Ohio Air National Guard unit is joining multiple nations across the Sahel region of Africa. Last year’s exercise saw more than 30 nations participate in the exercise. Flintlock is directed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command.
The exercise develops capacity and collaboration among African security forces to protect civilian populations. Exercise Flintlock is designed to foster regional cooperation to enable African partners to stabilize regions of North and West Africa, while reducing sanctuary and support for violent extremist organizations. Flintlock ‘17 provides increased interoperability, counterterrorism and combat skills training while creating a venue for regional engagement among partner nations.
The primary mission for the 179th AW during the exercise will be to assist with transferring equipment, supplies and personnel throughout the area. |
