Gallery contains 23 images
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Photo 1 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members practice hand-to-hand combat during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 2 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members work as a team to get across an obstacle during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 16, 2025. During the FDCC, participants are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, and various challenges to test a participants physical and mental endurance. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 3 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member practices proper recovery drills during a mountain course training for the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 16, 2025. This year marked the ten-year anniversary with the U.S. participating in the French-led course. (U.S. Army photo by Spc Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 4 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service member completes the individual water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. This year marked the ten-year anniversary of the U.S. participation in the French-led FDCC and the U.S. and French continued partnership. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 5 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members hike to the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 6 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member battles through the individual water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 7 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service member build a fire for the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 8 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member battles through the individual water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 9 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members hike to the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 10 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member battles through the individual water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 11 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member starts the individual water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 12 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members work in teams to successfully complete a water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises in order to challenge participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 13 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members prepare for the individual water competition during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti have invited U.S. service members with the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the course. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 14 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service member completes the individual water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. This year marked the ten-year anniversary of the U.S. participation in the French-led FDCC and the U.S. and French continued partnership. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 15 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members practice different grappling and jujitsu techniques during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 16 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member completes a water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 18, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises in order to challenge participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 17 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member performs one of three rope portions during the mountain course for the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 20, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 18 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members simulate swimming to shore after a plane crash to start the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 19 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members advance to the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 20 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members build a fire as they prepare the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 21 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members complete a tactical water crossing during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. Before crossing, the team had to send a simulated casualty across without getting the casualty wet. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 22 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
U.S. service members advance to the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 23 of 23
French Desert Commando Course
A U.S. service member performs one of three rope portions during the mountain course for the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 20, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
U.S. service members battled through the French-led French Desert Commando Course at the Combined Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti from March 15-20, 2025.
This multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally.
29 out of 35 service members earned the coveted Scorpion pin upon completion of the course.
French Forces Djibouti have invited the U.S. to the FDCC event since 2015.
