U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, prepare to extract from a landing zone during a quick response force, full mission profile rehearsal in Thiés, Senegal, Aug. 5, 2019. The rehearsal increased the Marines’ ability to conduct link-up procedures, on scene and in-route trauma stabilization, and offensive and defensive operations. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. - U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, prepare to extract from a landing zone during a quick response force, full mission profile rehearsal in Thiés, Senegal, Aug. 5, 2019. The rehearsal increased the Marines’ ability to conduct link-up procedures, on scene and in-route trauma stabilization, and offensive and defensive operations. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa.

Cpl. Mitchell York, a rifleman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, rushes forward during a simulated contact left attack during a patrolling exercise with Cameroonian soldiers with Forces Fusiliers Marins et Palmeurs de Combat in Limbé, Cameroon, June 28, 2016. Marines share tactics, techniques and skills with the FORFUMAPCO soldiers to combat the illicit trafficking in Cameroon. - Cpl. Mitchell York, a rifleman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, rushes forward during a simulated contact left attack during a patrolling exercise with Cameroonian soldiers with Forces Fusiliers Marins et Palmeurs de Combat in Limbé, Cameroon, June 28, 2016. Marines share tactics, techniques and skills with the FORFUMAPCO soldiers to combat the illicit trafficking in Cameroon.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Noah S. Scalish, (right), automatic rifleman, 2nd platoon Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa escorts a simulated suspect during an active shooter exercise at U.S. Embassy, Lisbon, Portugal, Feb. 9, 2016. SPMAGTF-CR-AF conducts a scaled embassy reinforcement exercise at American Embassy Lisbon in coordination with the Regional Security Office and host nation security forces in order to enhance mission essential task proficiency and build relationships. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Noah S. Scalish, (right), automatic rifleman, 2nd platoon Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa escorts a simulated suspect during an active shooter exercise at U.S. Embassy, Lisbon, Portugal, Feb. 9, 2016. SPMAGTF-CR-AF conducts a scaled embassy reinforcement exercise at American Embassy Lisbon in coordination with the Regional Security Office and host nation security forces in order to enhance mission essential task proficiency and build relationships.

U.S. Marines and sailors are working with Cameroon’s Fusiliers Marins and Compagnie des Palmeurs de Combat to increase their capabilities to combat illicit activity and increase security in the waterways and borders of Cameroon. At the request of the Cameroonian government and through coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, are teaching their military counterparts in infantry tactics to help build their maritime security force capabilities. - U.S. Marines and sailors are working with Cameroon’s Fusiliers Marins and Compagnie des Palmeurs de Combat to increase their capabilities to combat illicit activity and increase security in the waterways and borders of Cameroon. At the request of the Cameroonian government and through coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, are teaching their military counterparts in infantry tactics to help build their maritime security force capabilities.

An MV-22B Osprey with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa carves through mountain terrain during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, Dec. 7, 2015 near Albacete, Spain. The TRAP is part of a month-long training curriculum hosted by the Tactical Leadership Programme, a 10 NATO nation collaboration, who train future flight commanders. - An MV-22B Osprey with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa carves through mountain terrain during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, Dec. 7, 2015 near Albacete, Spain. The TRAP is part of a month-long training curriculum hosted by the Tactical Leadership Programme, a 10 NATO nation collaboration, who train future flight commanders.

Royal Marines with 45 Commando and U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa discuss tactics and techniques for patrols during Trident Juncture 15, Oct. 21, 2015. Trident Juncture is one of many exercises ensuring that NATO is ready to deal with any emerging crisis from any direction, and that the Alliance is able to work effectively with partner nations. - Royal Marines with 45 Commando and U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa discuss tactics and techniques for patrols during Trident Juncture 15, Oct. 21, 2015. Trident Juncture is one of many exercises ensuring that NATO is ready to deal with any emerging crisis from any direction, and that the Alliance is able to work effectively with partner nations.

U.S. Marines stand guard during a simulated civilian evacuation at the National Gendarmerie Tactical Training Center in Saint-Astier, France, Oct. 9. The exercise marks the third rotation of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Marines training alongside the Gendarmerie. - U.S. Marines stand guard during a simulated civilian evacuation at the National Gendarmerie Tactical Training Center in Saint-Astier, France, Oct. 9. The exercise marks the third rotation of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Marines training alongside the Gendarmerie.

U.S. Marines and Senegalese military members search a vehicle during a two-day training event aboard Bel-Air military base, Sept. 21-22 in Dakar, Senegal. The Marines, based out of Morón Air Base, Spain, are currently validating forward-staging capabilities in Dakar, Senegal, while building partnerships with their Senegalese counterparts. - U.S. Marines and Senegalese military members search a vehicle during a two-day training event aboard Bel-Air military base, Sept. 21-22 in Dakar, Senegal. The Marines, based out of Morón Air Base, Spain, are currently validating forward-staging capabilities in Dakar, Senegal, while building partnerships with their Senegalese counterparts.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter visits U.S. service members at Morón Air Base, Spain, Oct. 6, 2015. During his visit, Carter thanked the service members for their hard work and emphasized the importance of strategic transition in today’s changing global security environment. - U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter visits U.S. service members at Morón Air Base, Spain, Oct. 6, 2015. During his visit, Carter thanked the service members for their hard work and emphasized the importance of strategic transition in today’s changing global security environment.

Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, poses for a photo with Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos after completing their final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. - Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, poses for a photo with Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos after completing their final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations.

Lance Cpl. Trent Meade, a rifleman with Security Cooperation Team-4, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, instructs a Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando on supporting his buddy during an immediate action practical application exercise led by Marines in Toubacouta, Senegal, Sept. 1, 2015. Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen with SCT-4 are in Senegal training with the COFUMACO on infantry tactics and small-boat operations to continue building a strong relationship between the partner nations and improve the interoperability of the Senegalese military. - Lance Cpl. Trent Meade, a rifleman with Security Cooperation Team-4, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, instructs a Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando on supporting his buddy during an immediate action practical application exercise led by Marines in Toubacouta, Senegal, Sept. 1, 2015. Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen with SCT-4 are in Senegal training with the COFUMACO on infantry tactics and small-boat operations to continue building a strong relationship between the partner nations and improve the interoperability of the Senegalese military.

Benin National Surveillance Police commemorated the Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary attacks with U.S. Marines and sailors at the National Police Academy in Cotonou, Benin, today. The Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa are in Benin for a month-long training mission with the National Surveillance Police to help counter illicit trafficking along the country’s borders. During a break in the training, NPS students stood alongside Marines and sailors in formation for a brief ceremony to remember the day when more than 3,000 lives perished from the heinous terrorist attack. The ceremony began with the playing of taps, followed by three smoke cans, releasing colors of the Benin flag, symbolizing the partnership between the U.S. and Benin. - Benin National Surveillance Police commemorated the Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary attacks with U.S. Marines and sailors at the National Police Academy in Cotonou, Benin, today. The Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa are in Benin for a month-long training mission with the National Surveillance Police to help counter illicit trafficking along the country’s borders. During a break in the training, NPS students stood alongside Marines and sailors in formation for a brief ceremony to remember the day when more than 3,000 lives perished from the heinous terrorist attack. The ceremony began with the playing of taps, followed by three smoke cans, releasing colors of the Benin flag, symbolizing the partnership between the U.S. and Benin.

A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando demonstrates his swimming technique during a swim assessment by personnel with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, during a swim assessment in Dakar, Senegal, Aug. 28, 2015. The assessment was conducted to ensure the COFUMACO are capable and confident in the water before they conduct small-boat operations training together in the following weeks. - A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando demonstrates his swimming technique during a swim assessment by personnel with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, during a swim assessment in Dakar, Senegal, Aug. 28, 2015. The assessment was conducted to ensure the COFUMACO are capable and confident in the water before they conduct small-boat operations training together in the following weeks.