Soldiers from Niger practice vehicle checkpoints and identifying terrorist activity during Exercise Flintlock 2014 in Diffa, Niger. Special Operations soldiers from France and Norway were responsible for training the Nigerien troops on basic combat patrols and how to foil terrorist ambushes from Feb. 19 to March 9, 2014. Flintlock exercises began in 2005 and have grown to become a global endeavor spanning multiple countries, languages and cultures. Flintlock is an African planned, coordinated and executed multi-lateral exercise that seeks to further the training and counterterrorism capabilities and proficiencies of participating nations across the Trans-Sahara region, while fostering collaborative communication and coordination skills. (Photo by U.S. Lt.j.g. Amy Forsythe, U.S. Africa Command.)