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Senegal launches Africa Air Force Forum

U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, gives a speech during the 2022 Africa Air Forces Forum, Oct. 26, 2022, in Dakar, Senegal. The Senegalese Air Force-hosted Africa Air Force Forum is a launching point to build connections and promote dialogue between partners to bridge capability gaps, promote integration, and assure peace throughout the continent.

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Photo by: Master Sgt. Michael Battles 

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Senegal launches Africa Air Force Forum

U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, gives a speech during the 2022 Africa Air Forces Forum, Oct. 26, 2022, in Dakar, Senegal. The Senegalese Air Force-hosted Africa Air Force Forum is a launching point to build connections and promote dialogue between partners to bridge capability gaps, promote integration, and assure peace throughout the continent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael Battles)

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Photo by: Master Sgt. Michael Battles 

The Senegalese Air Force-hosted Africa Air Force Forum brings over 40 Africa nations and international partner delegations, including U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, to Dakar, Senegal, for the two-day conference to address the evolving role of Africa’s air forces through emerging requirements, counter terrorism, and counterinsurgency efforts across the continent.

The conference marks U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker’s first visit to the African continent as the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander. During the conference, Hecker presented on the growing presence of international air forces in Africa and their ability to support partners beyond counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts.

“The most important thing we can do to guarantee future success is to stand shoulder-to shoulder, build trust in one another, and face these challenges together,” Hecker said. “We continue to lean into forums like this and others such as the African Partner Flights and Association of African Air Forces events. Each occasion should remind us that we are in this fight together.”

Multilateral military-to-military engagements build aviation capacity, enhance local and regional cooperation, and promote interoperability across nations. USAFE-AFAFRICA aims to strengthen these mutually beneficial networks between the U.S. and African partners, as well as between African partners themselves.

In the past year, the U.S. has provided critical airlift support through foreign military sales and training, hosted multiple engagements through the Association of African Air Forces, integrated with regional partners in exercise African Lion 2022, and provided critical operational awareness to partners throughout the continent.

U.S. Africa Command, through USAFE-AFAFRICA and the 4353th Air Expeditionary Wing, continues to share resources, providing operational expertise, and managing security needs throughout the continent.

For more information on USAFE-AFAFRICA’s engagement, investments, and operations in Africa, please contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs via email at usafepao-pao@us.af.mil.