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

French Soldiers assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) drive lightweight tactical vehicles and a tank past U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa while preparing to embark into the desert to execute blackout operations 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)