Members of the 5th Special Forces Regiment took part in the significant international FLINTLOCK 25 exercise, held annually on the African continent since 2005. This year, it took place from 24 April to 14 May. The exercise involved more than 30 countries, including 15 African states. It was the historic first participation of the Slovak Special Operations Forces, paving the way for future international cooperation.
      The primary objective of this year's exercise was to enhance the capabilities of staff within the multinational CJSOTF (Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force) and its subordinate SOTG (Special Operations Task Group) units. The FLINTLOCK 25 exercise took place in three main phases: Academics Week, Staff Exercise and Command Post Exercise.
Members of the 5th Special Forces Regiment not only formed part of the SOTG structure, but also operated at other organisational levels within an international setting, where they were able to share valuable insights and experiences in the realm of special operations. Key partners included domestic special forces from Côte d'Ivoire and other African countries.
      The knowledge gained and the operational procedures established represent a strategically important step for the possible future deployment of Slovak Special Forces in Africa, an area with many challenges. This is one of the reasons why there is already a willingness to participate in the FLINTLOCK exercise again in 2026.
       Participation in FLINTLOCK is a key factor in the development of the 5th Special Forces Regiment and other Special Operations Forces units. FLINTLOCK provides the comprehensive conditions and challenges that are essential for enhancing the deployability and capabilities of our units, thereby contributing directly to the development of their future operational capabilities.