APF, AFAFRICA, Ghana, Partnership, Africa

ACCRA, Ghana -- Ghanaian air force Air Commodore Emmanuel Obeng, GAF headquarters base commander, passes the inaugural African Partnership Flight trophy to Ugandan air force chief of staff, Brig. Gen. Moses Rwakitarate March 23 during the APF 12-2 closing ceremony here. Uganda is host nation for next year’s APF event. APF 12-2 is military-to-military partnership building exercise that gave Ghanaian, Togolese, Senegalese, Nigerian, Benin and U.S. Air Force the opportunity to share ideas, techniques and practices to strengthen each nation’s air-security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

Inaugural APF ends, builds lasting partnerships

Published March 24, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Brok McCarthy
U.S. Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

ACCRA, Ghana -- More than 160 Airmen from five different countries said farewell to each other as African Partnership Flight 12-2 came to an end here March 23.

The event, hosted by the Ghanaian Air Force, was a two-week, military-to-military multilateral and regional engagement designed to improve regional cooperation partnerships, and the readiness of all countries' servicemembers.

"I think it becomes clear over the course of [AFP] that when we promote the unique capabilities of air power, and cooperate regionally we will all be stronger, more interoperable and more capable of meeting the operational challenges we all face." said Maj. Gen. Maggie Woodward, 17th Air Force commander. "My favorite African proverb says 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' I am glad we have chosen to go far together."

Servicemembers from the Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Senegal air forces spent the last two weeks discussing various aspects of air force operations including loadmaster operations, search and rescue, aircraft maintenance and more. Airmen from U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and North Dakota National Guard guided the discussions.

While the skill levels of participants varied from new to the military, to more than 24 years of service, most airmen found this to be a useful event.

"[APF] was a great opportunity for us to come and share our knowledge and compare techniques," said Capt. Samah Soussou, Togo air force. "More than that though, it was a way to enhance partnerships among African countries, as well as with the United States."

The two-week event culminated with a capstone event March 21, with Airmen demonstrating their skills in front of Woodward and the partner nations' air force service chiefs.

Overall, U.S. Air Forces Africa's premier African Partnership Flight was a success, not just because of the skills learned, but because of the partnerships built, said Col. David Poage, APF mission commander.

"It's been an amazing transition from day one when I sat and listened to the Airmen and instructors getting to know each other, until today at the graduation ceremony," he said. "Everyone was trading patches, laughing together about inside jokes, and building those lasting relationships made possible by APF."

"We look forward to next year's event in Uganda," he added.