Category Archives: U.S-African Partnerships

U.S. Air Force in the 14th African Air Chiefs Symposium 2025

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This year’s African Air Chiefs Symposium co-hosted by U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa, and Zambia Air Force was held in Lusaka, Zambia from February 17 – 21. The thematic focus of the 14th African Air Chiefs Symposium was on ‘Strategic Collaboration and Operational Excellence: Enhancing effectiveness of the Association of African Air Forces.

“The multilateral partnerships developed during the 14th African Air Chiefs Symposium are keys in the preparation and response to cross-continental natural disasters,” “Developing African-led solutions to these enduring challenges will help save lives.”  elaborated U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker ©U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa

Military leaders, Air Chiefs, Liaison Officers, Women, Peace and Security Representatives, Senior Enlisted Representatives, and U.N Representatives, from 38 nations convened in African Air Chiefs Symposium 2025 to discuss crucial continental defense issues, and addressed challenges that threaten regional security, The symposium also assessed the existing capabilities and explored avenues to increase partnerships between African nations and the United States. 

Among symposium’s key delivered outcomes:

  • Strengthening partnerships and collaborations between U.S-African air forces, fostering mutual understanding and shared strategies to address common security challenges.
  • Operational excellence:
    1. Improving the operational capabilities through joint multinational training exercises and interoperability;
    2. The exchange of best practices;
    3. And enhancing the air operations across the continent particularly in the natural disaster scenarios.

Additional:  Digital Press Briefing State Department Feb. 19, 2025: U.S Air Forces Africa Commander Gen. James B. Hecker and Zambia Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Oscar Nyoni.

 Acknowledgments: Sources ©U.S. Air Forces in Europe – U.S. Air Forces Africa. Image:  U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander and Association of African Air Forces co-chairman, during the opening ceremony for the 14th African Air Chiefs Symposium in Lusaka, Zambia, Feb. 17, 2025, by Senior Airman Seleena Muhammad-Ali ©U.S. Air Forces in Europe -U.S. Air Forces Africa. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief.