USAFE helps Rwandan troops deploy to Darfur

  • Published
  • By Capt. Morgan J. O'Brien III
  • 86th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Rwanda (USAFENS) --  An Air Force C-17 departed here July 18 carrying approximately 95 Rwandan troops deploying to help mitigate the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The airlift signifies the start of the 86th Aerospace Expeditionary Group’s involvement as part of NATO’s support to the second African Union expanded mission in the Darfur region of Sudan.

“The people of Darfur need help.” said Col. Scott Schafer, 86th AEG commander. “This first airlift means that Rwandan AU troops are on the way.”

The Rwandan troops were sent off upon their mission with a Rwandan military band, and marched to the C-17 through a Rwandan military honor guard, hailing them with fixed bayonets. The aircraft was from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J, flown by a crew from McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

“All of our efforts in support of AMIS II underscore our commitment to an important team effort,” said Capt. Joel Harper, 86th AEG public affairs chief. “We are working with the international community -- specifically the African Union and NATO -- to help achieve peace in a unified Sudan.”

During the operation, approximately 150 Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany , RAF Mildenhall, England , and additional support from several U.S. bases and strategic support from U.S. Transportation Command will rotate approximately 1,200 Rwandan troops from Kigali, Rwanda, to El Fashir, Sudan.

“We’re not alone in this mission,” said Colonel Schafer. “We’re working with our allies in NATO and the AU to ensure Darfur gets help.”

The U.S. airlift is part of the larger multinational effort to improve security and create conditions in which humanitarian assistance can be more effectively provided to the people of Darfur. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced on June 9 that the alliance would help the AU expand its peacekeeping force in Darfur from 3,300 to about 7,700 in the coming months.

The airlift is expected to continue for approximately 30 days. The total number of Rwandan troops transported during AMIS II is expected to be approximately 1,200.

U.S. European Command began the deployment of Airmen and equipment here Thursday.

About 120 USAFE Airmen and three C-130 aircraft from Ramstein deployed to Africa in October 2004 to conduct a similar mission. By mission's end, the C-130s had carried approximately 350 AU troops and 118,000 pounds of cargo.