APF ends with graduation

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian M. Boisvert
  • AFAFRICA APF Mauritania
ATAR, Mauritania --  A large crowd of dignitaries and 55 Airmen from six African nations as well as 17 U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to either U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa or Air Mobility Command took part in the African Partnership Flight Mauritania graduation ceremony Sept. 4, 2014, at Atar Airbase.

The week-long training event brought Airmen from the U.S., Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Tunisia together in a joint learning environment.

"This special military event of supporting defense operations is establishing new era of cooperation between our countries," said Col. Mohammad Lehreitani, Mauritania Air Force chief in command. "This has entitled a renewing of the highest values of peace, security and developmental ideals in the world at large and the Sahel region in particular."

"Mauritania is an important American ally who shares a common vision of a safe, stable and prosperous Africa," said Martha Patterson, Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Mauritania. "Mauritania's partnering with us to sponsor such an event demonstrates Mauritania's commitment to that vision."

The vision Patterson referred to is the APF vision of being the premier program for delivering aviation security cooperation to African partners. Its mission is to provide the capability for African nations to conduct multi-lateral, military-to-military engagement and security assistance with African air forces in order to build aviation capacity, enhance regional cooperation and increase interoperability.

Following classes, students were given the opportunity to express what they really liked about the course and how it could be improved.

"I really appreciate this training," said a Mauritanian airman in a survey. "I would like to see all of the participating countries doing future military maneuvers together for more experience."

A Nigerian student stated, "I am really happy to participate in this event because I learned a lot. I learned new methods and new information the will be very important to the air mission in Niger."

On the first day of class, U.S. Air Force Maj. Hartmut Casson, APF Mauritania mission commander said to the students, "It is our hope that the lessons and friendships we make today will endure for years to come."

That comment was echoed over and over again in the critiques the students gave.

"The most important thing was exchanging experiences and expertise between the members of the participating countries," said a student from Tunisia. "The presentations were highly useful and important for planning and programming air operations."

During comments made to Patterson, Casson said, "I had high expectations of the Mauritanians as a co-host of this event and they blew me away with the help and support that the Mauritanian Air Force was able to offer. I was worried that the students would not open up very much to the instructors and to the other students, but they have by far surpassed anything I was hoping for."

The primary objective of this APF was for African partners possess greater aviation capacity and the ability to provide mutual support in air operations.

"I would like to seize this occasion to thank U.S.A. for providing all kinds of continued support strengthening our countries cooperation," said Lehreitani. "This training workshop was an opportunity to exchange information, expertise and consolidate partnership between our countries."

-30-