ACCRA, Ghana -- Ghanaian Air Force Flight Lt. Baba-Mubarak Ahmadu, GAF School of Trade Training chief instructor, left, meets with U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rob Johnson, 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, before the opening ceremonies of the first African Partnership Flight March 12 here. APF is a two week military-to-military multilateral and regional engagement event involving the partnership of U.S., Benin, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Togon, and Senegalian air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)
ACCRA, Ghana -- Members of U.S., Benin, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Togolese, and Senegalese air forces wait for the first African Partnership Flight's opening ceremonies to commence March 12 here. The partnership's aim is to increase air safety and security for the region through the exchange of ideas and techniques between all countries involved in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)
ACCRA, Ghana -- Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Faldet, 119th Wing component maintenance flight chief, listens as Air Commodore Emanuel Ahadome, Ghana air officer, director of logistics speaks of the importance of the first African Partnership Flight during the APF's opening ceremonies March 12 here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)
ACCRA, Ghana -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melanie Ellis, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Surgeon General medical support officer, speaks with Ghanaian Air Force Group Capt. Julius Dzamefe, GAF headquarters director of supply, before the first African Partnership Flight's opening ceremonies March 12 here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)
by Staff Sgt. Brok McCarthy
U.S. Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
3/12/2012 - ACCRA, Ghana -- U.S. Air Forces Africa Airmen participated in the opening ceremony of the inaugural African Partnership Flight event March 12 at Air Force Base Accra, Ghana.
The event, hosted by the Ghanaian Air Force, is a two-week, military-to-military multilateral and regional engagement designed to improve regional cooperation partnerships, and the readiness of all countries' servicemembers.
More than 160 airmen from the Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Senegal air forces were welcomed to the event by Air Commodore Emanuel Ahadome, Ghana air officer, logistics.
"The importance of training to our military profession cannot be over emphasized," Ahadome said. "The need to be educated and have good knowledge of best practices in ways of carrying out our tasks is very crucial to the success of any modern air force."
He continued by saying the program would enable participants to exchange ideas and upgrade knowledge of best practices in modern air forces and the aviation industry.
Several Airmen from U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and North Dakota National Guard will support APF.
"At the end, if we do nothing more than strengthen relationships, old and new, that's value added," said Col. Dave Poage, APF mission commander. "Just getting to know each other and creating partnerships among a myriad of organizations will make it successful."
