Intelligence Readiness Joint Training at Southern Accord 2026
Members from the North Carolina National Guard and Botswana Defence Force intelligence personnel worked through evolving intelligence injects designed to strengthen analytical skills, information sharing, and decision-making in a joint environment during Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, Aug. 12, 2026. The exercise is being hosted in Botswana Aug. 10-15, 226, and supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering one North Carolina's state partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region.
As part of the exercise’s intelligence syndicate, participants received simulated reports that required them to analyze available information. These participants also identified gaps in intelligence and determined how emerging threats could affect ongoing operations.
“The injects are designed to develop the Botswana Defence Force’s ability to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR),” said Mr. Jason M. Barber, North Carolina National Guard deputy chief of staff, G2. “The injects are also designed to be able to pivot based on the information that they gain from the ISR.”
In one scenario, participants received reports of unidentified drones operating near critical infrastructure, while in another, indications emerged that an intelligence source may have been compromised. In 2024, there were an estimated 484 drone strikes causing 1,176 casualties across 13 African countries.
“This training develops the Botswana Defence Force’s intelligence syndicate’s ability to support joint-level planning through the Joint Planning Process and Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Wade R. Finch, military intelligence officer and exercise intelligence planner. “It also provides an opportunity for both forces to share knowledge and build a common understanding of joint intelligence processes.”
The information required Botswana Defence Force participants to assess the potential threat and impact on operations. Participants also determined what additional information would be necessary to develop a more complete understanding of the situation and how their intelligence collection plan would adapt to the changing environment.
“I was looking forward to learning a lot about intelligence, especially in joint exercises and operations,” explained Botswana Defence Force Maj. Kegomoditswe Moeng, logistics instructor. “I’ve learned a lot from this exercise, and I now have a bigger appreciation for how important intelligence is.”
The intelligence syndicate is one component of Exercise Southern Accord 2026 designed to bring together U.S. and Botswana forces to enhance cooperation, strengthen capabilities and improve their ability to operate together. Since 2008, the North Carolina National Guard and Botswana Defence Force have built a longstanding partnership through joint training and exchanges
“Training together strengthens interoperability, trust and our ability to plan and operate effectively alongside one another,” said Finch. “Southern Accord gives us the opportunity to learn from each other while building relationships and capabilities that support our shared security objectives.”
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