Nigerien Air Base 201, Niger -- Enlisted leaders from the Forces Armées Nigeriennes and senior NCOs from the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron met for lunch at Nigerien Air Base 201, Niger, April 19, 2017.
The purpose of the meeting was to allow the two groups to have a collaborative sharing of concerns, and to receive mutual support and guidance where needed.
“Our luncheons are held monthly and the members are from of a variety of (job specialties),” said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Greensage, 724th EABS services superintendent. “During the luncheons we talk about ways we can help each other better, get to know each other, and continue to build our partnership.”
One example of guidance provided during the luncheons, is the 724th EABS services team gave advice to help FAN members with food preparations.
“The FAN expressed their concern with getting food prepared and out on time,” said Greensage. “So we brought them into our kitchen area and explained some things they could do to help serve their members.”
The luncheons are an extension of weekly senior enlisted meetings with the FAN, which also foster positive relationships and work toward growing bigger possibilities between the two militaries.
“One of the big things we want to get started down the road is to have a knowledge exchange and teach the FAN members English,” said Master Sgt. Alexa Payton, 724th EABS Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team chief. “Then hopefully they can also teach us their language.
One of the biggest things is letting the FAN members know that we are here to help, explained Payton.
“At the end end of the day, it’s all about building trust to improve and maintain our mutual support,” said Greensage. “We want our relationship to be good and them to trust us, because trust is essential to our partnership and success.”