RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Airmen have completed several major construction projects at Nigerien Air Base 201 to include the runway and significant portions of infrastructure. As with any new airfield, there are a series of assessments that must happen and procedures that must be developed before full flying operations can begin. In support of these assessments, the Nigerien Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) and the Nigerien air force and U.S. Air Force agreed to begin flying limited, Visual Flight Rule operations into Air Base 201 beginning Aug. 1. These flights will include U.S. Air Force C-130 and other resupply missions into the base. We are projecting the start of full flying operations sometime later this year.
“I’m proud of the tremendous work our Airmen accomplished in completing the largest ever Airmen-led construction project in Air Force history. Air Base 201 gives Niger and the U.S. incredible capability in a challenging region of the world. This joint-use runway allows for a better response to regional security requirements and provides strategic access and flexibility. Our Airmen are creative, adaptive and capable of rapidly making decisions, and there is no better example of that than the airfield they built at Nigerien Air Base 201,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander.
The U.S. is committed to supporting Niger in the opening of the new runway at Nigerien Air Base 201 and responding to regional security issues.
For information about Air Base 201, please contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs at +49 (0) 6371-47-6558, or by email at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil