An eight-member U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa crew facilitated an institutional functionality constructing engagement alongside the Kenyan Air Force in Nairobi, Kenya, April 25-28.
The institutional capability constructing program strengthens USAFE-AFAFRICA’s relationships with allies and companions like Kenya by offering a platform for sharing concepts and finest practices to boost important capabilities.
“This week was very fruitful for all participants […] seeing everything from public affairs to welfare programs has me thinking on how to improve some of our programs and better support our members,” stated Col Catherine Lagat, KAF Chief of Personnel. “I’m looking forward to future cooperation and the betterment of both institutions.”
Throughout the week, AFAF and KAF members participated in invaluable exchanges on subjects akin to Agile Combat Employment, enlisted power improvement, the primary sergeant program, public affairs and knowledge warfare, veteran’s affairs, power construction, and varied welfare and resiliency packages.
“Kenya is a critical, willing, and capable partner on the continent,” stated Col Beth Lane, USAFE-AFAFRICA International Affairs Division Chief and Association of African Air Forces Secretary General. “Institutional capacity building engagements move us along the continuum of ‘informed, interoperable, and integrated.’ Together, these engagements are improving both our air forces.”
Kenya is in part three of the institutional capability constructing program. Phase one of many program launched in October 2021; its focus is listening to the associate power to establish key areas for future cooperation. In March 2022, a Kenyan Defence Force delegation traveled to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, for part two to additional that cooperation via material skilled-led discussions and the direct commentary of operational processes.
“Phase three is where the rubber really starts to hit the road,” stated Noel Fachi, AFAFRICA’s institutional capability constructing program supervisor. “This program is unique because you have leaders from both forces actively participating in workshops and passionate discussions focused on making each other better and developing important programs. The relationships built through the back-and-forth dialogue are invaluable.”
The exchanges that underpin the institutional capability constructing program will higher equip each the U.S. and KDF of their concurrent fights towards terrorism. Several thousand KDF members are actively combating Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Meanwhile, U.S. service members are conducting counterterrorism operations from Cooperative Security Location Manda Bay in Lamu county, Kenya.
In June, AFAF is scheduled to return to Kenya for an African Partnership Flight, a multi-lateral army-to-army engagement and safety help occasion supposed to boost regional cooperation. June’s APF will facilitate the sharing of humanitarian help and catastrophe aid finest practices amongst eight African companions.
USAFE-AFAFRICA conducts institutional capability constructing missions throughout 15 international locations in Europe and Africa to empower ally and associate nations via the event of foundational capabilities and enduring relationships.
