U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa

A French Soldier assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) prepares a lightweight tactical vehicle before departing in a joint convoy into the desert to execute blackout operations with U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)