From the end of February to the beginning of March, soldiers from the as reported took part in the “Flintlock 2020” exercise series in Senegal. We spoke to Colonel Philipp Ségur-Cabanac, Head of the Hunting Command, about the training mission, its added value for the Armed Forces and the equipment and personnel situation at the Hunting Command.
Colonel, the Hunting Command has been involved in the “Flintlock” exercise series in North Africa for several years now. Why?
The multinational exercise series has been held by the US armed forces since 2006 and serves to develop the capacities of African armed forces in the sub-Saharan and Sahel region in the context of international crisis and conflict management. The aim is to enable these countries to better cope with extremist and terrorist threats. The overriding objective is to improve the security situation on the ground and thus also beyond the region, which is also in Austria’s direct interest.
Are you referring to the Africa Policy of the Ministry of Defense?
In addition to the Balkans and the MENA region (note: Middle East & Northern Africa), the sub-Saharan zone is of overriding importance to the department. In order to implement this security policy interest, the Hunting Command has regularly participated in the exercise series as part of the Armed Forces’ training support programs since 2016.
Are there other similar exercises on the hunting command’s agenda besides the Flintlock?
No, but in principle we are doing nothing different as part of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. As with Flintlock, one of the three main types of special operations forces is used there, namely “Military Assistance”; the other two are “Special Reconnaissance”, as we carried out in Chad in 2008 and 2009, and “Direct Action”.
So the bottom line is that Flintlock and the mission in Afghanistan are pursuing the same goal?
Exactly. We support the security forces on the ground so that they can better resolve crisis and conflict situations. The difference is that we operate in an even more insecure environment in Afghanistan and are permanently on the ground. This allows us to work with the soldiers on a long-term basis, whereas with Flintlock this is only possible for a very short period of time. In order to be able to build on what we have already practiced and learned, we at Flintlock therefore try to work with the same platoons, companies and nations
for several years in a row.
Does it always work?
Not always, but quite often. So far, we have worked with special infantry and special forces from Cameroon, Senegal and Burkina Faso. This year, we also trained Senegalese combat swimmers in the port of Dakar for the first time. We also had two people at the headquarters in Mauritania who provided operational support there.
To what extent does the training go beyond the exercise? Will there be further cooperation with the African partner nations?
This was already the case in individual cases and would have been the case again now. The original plan was for two soldiers from the Senegalese combat swimmer element to come to Austria for training immediately after Flintlock. However, this had to be postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
You mentioned earlier that Austria is pursuing security policy interests in the region. Against this background, can participation in the exercise series also be interpreted as a capability gain for your own soldiers? After all, the soldiers learn how to deal with a new culture and unfamiliar environmental and weather conditions on site.
That is certainly the case. In light of the security policy developments in North and North-West Africa, it is quite conceivable that the Austrian Armed Forces
will also be involved on the ground in the medium to long term. We are also using the exercise to gain experience against this background. We learn how to deal with a different climate zone and how to move in a foreign culture. But we also see how our equipment – from manpower to ICT and radio – reacts to the climatic conditions on site. How we have to look after it and keep it ready for use.
In previous years, militia soldiers were also part of the hunting commando contingent at Flintlock. Was that the case again this year?
Yes, we had militia soldiers with us again this year. Among them was a doctor who also provided all the medical care for the other training contingents at the base.
Does that mean there are also opportunities to exchange experiences with special forces from other countries?
We were housed at the same base as the special operations forces of other countries, so there was very close contact and exchange. This was especially true for the Dutch soldiers, with whom we carried out maritime training together.
Finally, what about the personnel and equipment situation of the Hunting Command?
The situation is definitely better than in many other parts of the armed forces and can be rated as good to satisfactory, especially in terms of individual equipment. However, there is a need to catch up in terms of unit equipment, particularly in the areas of mobility, long-range night vision capability and heavy weapon systems. In terms of personnel, we are facing a major wave of retirements in the coming years – as is the entire army. This will result in an increased need for recruitment, which we want to cover in the best possible way with a new training cycle starting next year.
