CAIRO, Egypt -- Brig. Gen. Jacob Middleton, commanding general of U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa, and Chief Master Sgt. Alex Birkle, command senior enlisted leader, joined international dignitaries in Cairo for the inauguration of the African Space Agency 20 April.
The U.S. delegation included Stephanie S. Sullivan, U.S. ambassador to the African Union; Herro Mustafa Garg, U.S. ambassador to Egypt; Col. David Kobs, senior defense official and defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo; Juan Caro, deputy assistant secretary for international affairs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and Karen Feldstein, associate administrator for international and interagency relations at NASA.
The day began with a briefing at the U.S. Embassy, where the delegation received updates on Egypt’s political, economic and security landscape. The group then attended the agency’s opening ceremony, a milestone event signaling Africa’s growing role in space exploration and governance.
U.S. officials emphasized the importance of transparency, international cooperation and responsible use of space during the ceremony, signaling America’s commitment to supporting the development of Africa’s space sector within globally recognized norms.
In the afternoon, Middleton met with Rear Adm. Mohamed A. Omran, chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces' space program, for a bilateral discussion. The two leaders explored opportunities for future cooperation between the United States and Egypt in space operations, including technical support and capacity-building initiatives.
The visit marks a strategic step in strengthening U.S. partnerships across Africa and reinforcing efforts to promote a secure and stable space environment.
-30-