APF, Ghana, Africa, USAFE, AFAFRICA

ACCRA, Ghana -- Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Griffith, 17th Air Force, talks about signs a vehicle component may have been tampered with during a vehicle search exercise with Ghanaian Air Force Cpl. Felix Boampong, general duty, and Ghanaian Air Force Leading Aircraftsman Emmanuel Nelson, general duty, here March 15. Participants in the airfield security portion of the African Partnership had three minutes to search a sport utility vehicle for a simulated explosive device placed by other members of the group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brok McCarthy/released)

APF, Ghana, Africa, USAFE, AFAFRICA

ACCRA, Ghana -- Col. Chuck Tedder, U.S. Air Forces Africa chief of medical readiness, performs the Valsalva maneuver, while Nigerian air force Flying Officer Roy Umar Habib, a military doctor, watches for movement of his ear drum during the aerospace medicine portion of African Partnership Flight here March 14. The maneuver, which is commonly used to pop a person’s ears from changes in altitude, is part of U.S. Air Force flight physicals. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Brok McCarthy/released)

APF, Ghana, Africa, USAFE, AFAFRICA

ACCRA, Ghana -- Leading Aircraftsmen Lydia Opoku, Ghana Air Force general duties, practices challenging techniques shared during a challenge and search exercise at the African Partnership Flight 12-2 March 14 here. The APF is a military-to-military partnership strengthening event providing Air Forces from the U.S., Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal and Togo the opportunity to exchange techniques and learn from one another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

Week one wraps up at APF

Published March 18, 2012
By Capt. Brooke Brzozowske
U.S. Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

ACCRA, Ghana -- The first week of U.S. Air Forces Africa's African Partnership Flight wrapped up at Ghana Air Force's Camp Burma here March 16, 2012.

The African Partnership Flight 12-2 is AFAFRICA's two-week, military-to-military multilateral and regional engagement event. Classroom instruction included courses in cargo preparation, search and rescue, airfield security, public affairs, flight and ground safety, aerospace physiology, fixed wing aircraft maintenance and more.

Servicemembers from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Senegal and the U.S. participated in classroom instruction and hands-on aircraft training the first week at Camp Burma in Accra, Ghana.

"We couldn't have asked for a better, first week here," said Col. David Poage, APF mission commander. "The participants seem to really be enjoying themselves and this event. If there was a way to measure the success of an event by 'smiles generated', well, I'd think we hit a home run."

"I've already learned so much here, and have had a lot of fun because I've had an opportunity to meet new people," said Warrant Officer Eric Ofori, Ghana Air Force logistician.

The participants exchanged regional expertise in all areas of air mobility increasing all partners' capacity. Activities as simple as sharing a glass of tea or breaking bread in the dining facility contributed to fostering new and hopefully, lasting partnerships.

"The vision is for APF to become AFAFRICA's premier semi-annual program for conducting building partnership capacity activities with our African partners, said Maj. Benjamin Dainty, APF assessments and lessons learned. "The engagement and relationships already built will have lasting effects on regional stability and security."

"It's about trust and rapport - giving regional partners a chance to join together and focus on enhancing overall African air mobility, safety and security," said Capt Kaylee Weeks, 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron APF team lead and logistics readiness air advisor. "Information is most valuable only when it's shared, and this event offers the perfect venue for sharing information and building partnerships."

The second week of APF 12-2 will conclude with a capstone event showcasing the participants' collaborative skills in practical exercises. Servicemembers from each of the countries will don their personal protective equipment, gloves, pencils and calculators to work through the hands-on event. The capstone will take place on the ground with pre-flight planning and operations and will be followed with in-flight techniques and procedures.

"I can't wait to come back again next week!" Ofori concluded.