TUNIS, Tunisia. -- TUNIS, Tunisia -- Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, the Deputy Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa, met with Chief of Staff of the Tunisian Air Force, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hajem in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 18, 2024, to discuss regional security concerns and strengthen the nations’ strong bilateral relationship.
During his visit to Tunisia, Lt. Gen. Hinds visited Sidi Ahmed Air Base where he joined US Ambassador Joey Hood and Tunisian Defense Minister Khaled Sehili for a ceremony celebrating the transfer of a C-130H transport aircraft from the U.S. Air Force to the Tunisian Air Force.
Since 2020, U.S. Air Forces Africa has developed and executed security cooperation programs that have delivered nearly $100 million in training and equipment to the Tunisian Air Force.
“We value our relationship with the Tunisian Armed Forces and we’re grateful for Lt. Gen. Hajem’s leadership,” said Lt. Gen. Hinds, “The interoperability of aircraft like the C-130H allows us to operate, exercise and learn from each other.”
Lt. Gen. Hinds also visited the Tunisian Air Force Flight Training Academy at Sfax Air Base where he was briefed on the Tunisian T-6C pilot training programs and toured their new T-6C Simulator Facility.
Lt. Gen. Hinds and Lt. Gen. Hajem also discussed their continuing collaboration, and the upcoming African Air Chiefs Symposium scheduled for February 2025. The symposium will provide a forum for both nations’ air chiefs to join with others from across the continent to share learning experiences and identify opportunities to cooperate and collaborate.