Lusaka, Zambia -- On Feb. 18, Gen. James B. Hecker, the U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, attended the second day of the 14th African Air Chiefs Symposium.
The day began with Hecker joining his fellow air chiefs to observe the tabletop exercise (TTX), a key step in the process to operationalize the Association of African Air Forces. The TTX focuses on a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenario. Association liaison officers from 26 African partner countries role-played as facilitators, evaluators and players to test disaster response capabilities across Africa during a simulated flood in Zambia.
Following the TTX visit, the Zambian Air Force arranged a cultural performance given by children from a local orphanage.
After the community engagement event, General Hecker conducted bilateral meetings with his counterparts from four African nations including Senegal, Angola, Ghana and Gabon. His discussions focused on strengthening military partnerships, enhancing joint training activities, and exploring opportunities for collaborative operations to address shared security challenges.
To finish the night Hecker attended a cultural dinner hosted by the Zambia air force that included performances by Zambian entertainers.