AIRBASE 201, Niger-- -- Lt. Col. Aliou Matani, Regional Commander for the Nigerien National Guard, along with several high ranking officers of the Nigerien National Guard and Forces Armees Nigeriennes, recognized American leadership at Nigerien Air Base 201 while providing a camel feast on May 30, 2021, to honor the U.S. and Nigerien partnerships on the U.S. holiday of Memorial Day.
Memorial Day commemorates all men and women who have died in U.S. military service. In 1971, Memorial Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday taking place on the last Monday in May.
Matani and his team presented gifts to Col. Eric Winterbottom, Commander of the 409 Air Expeditionary group, and Lt. Col. Jeffrey Gipson, Commander of the 724 Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, who received them on behalf of all American military members at AB 201.
“Commander, you do all the work that needs to be done with enthusiasm for the mission that was given to you and the mission that you have with the Nigerien National Guard,” said Matani. “With your courage and your constant availability, this makes the U.S. proud to have you as a high ranking officer.”
For nearly 1,500 years, nomads of the Western Sahara have respected the camel. Camels are essential to life in the desert environment, constituting both the main means of production and exchange. It is a marvel for Nigerien locals to donate such an important piece of their culture to the U.S. military members at AB 201.
The camel was cleaned on site, then cooked underground for roughly 20 hours according to traditional methods of camel cooking. To cook the camel, Matani invited a skilled camel chef who traveled three days to celebrate the event at AB 201. The chef was assisted by the GNN and FAN to serve the meal to the participants.
Nearly 100 American and 20 Nigerien personnel gathered for the event - demonstrating the importance and solemnity of honoring comrades who have fallen in war. The event also displayed the partnership and mutual respect both countries show for one another.
“This excellent partnership is built on your amazing enthusiasm and leadership that has brought the American and Nigerien teams together,” said Winterbottom. “Thank you for forging this partnership through…people like me, you are the constant that makes this happen. I want to say thank you.”