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Air Force Safety Officer Aids Ghanaian Investigation After Fatal Helicopter Crash

U.S. Air Force Capt. Dena McFadden, 449th Air Expeditionary Group flight safety officer, poses for a photo at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 10, 2025. On Aug. 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Chinese-made Harbin Z-9 helicopter crashed into a mountainside near Obuasi, killing eight people, including the nation’s Minister of Defense. Following a formal request from the Ghanaian government, McFadden and two other U.S. safety experts deployed within hours to assist local authorities in determining the cause of the accident. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Silvera)

By U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Silvera ,  449th Air Expeditionary Group Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Jan 26, 2026
Air Force Safety Officer Aids Ghanaian Investigation After Fatal Helicopter Crash Air Force Safety Officer Aids Ghanaian Investigation After Fatal Helicopter Crash
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More in Readiness
Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026
Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026
More than 30 African, international and U.S. special operations forces are meeting in Abidjan this week to finalize plans for Exercise Flintlock, U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise scheduled for April. The Ivorian special forces–hosted planning event will synchronize participating nations for training more than 1,000 participants across Côte d'Ivoire and Libya.
Read more
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and enabled by U.S. Sixth Fleet kicks off in Port Louis, Mauritius Feb. 2-12.
Read more
Strengthening Aviation Security Together: USAFE-AFAFRICA’s Force Multipliers
Strengthening Aviation Security Together: USAFE-AFAFRICA’s Force Multipliers
When discussing U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa’s (USAFE-AFAFRICA) international partnership mechanisms, most would likely think of foreign affairs officers or bilateral exercises before the safety office.
Read more
More in Readiness
Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026
Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026
More than 30 African, international and U.S. special operations forces are meeting in Abidjan this week to finalize plans for Exercise Flintlock, U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise scheduled for April. The Ivorian special forces–hosted planning event will synchronize participating nations for training more than 1,000 participants across Côte d'Ivoire and Libya.
Read more
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and enabled by U.S. Sixth Fleet kicks off in Port Louis, Mauritius Feb. 2-12.
Read more
Strengthening Aviation Security Together: USAFE-AFAFRICA’s Force Multipliers
Strengthening Aviation Security Together: USAFE-AFAFRICA’s Force Multipliers
When discussing U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa’s (USAFE-AFAFRICA) international partnership mechanisms, most would likely think of foreign affairs officers or bilateral exercises before the safety office.
Read more
More in Readiness
Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026
Multinational Partners Finalize Plans for Exercise Flintlock 2026
More than 30 African, international and U.S. special operations forces are meeting in Abidjan this week to finalize plans for Exercise Flintlock, U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual special operations exercise scheduled for April. The Ivorian special forces–hosted planning event will synchronize participating nations for training more than 1,000 participants across Côte d'Ivoire and Libya.
Read more
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa
Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and enabled by U.S. Sixth Fleet kicks off in Port Louis, Mauritius Feb. 2-12.
Read more
Strengthening Aviation Security Together: USAFE-AFAFRICA’s Force Multipliers
When discussing U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa’s (USAFE-AFAFRICA) international partnership mechanisms, most would likely think of foreign affairs officers or bilateral exercises before the safety office.
Read more
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