U.S. Central Command air power official meets with Kenya Air Force

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  On a recent return visit to Kenya, the commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces continued a dialogue of cooperation and mutual operational goals with Kenya Air Force officials this week.

Lt. Gen. Gary North met with Brig. Gen. Jackson Waheru, deputy commander of the Kenya Air Force, among other headquarters senior staff at Moi Air Base during his two-day visit to Nairobi.

Gen. North was briefed on Kenya Air Force current operations, status of forces and its primary roles and missions. He further engaged in discussions on current and future security cooperation efforts.

Included in the visit was the opportunity to tour facilities at Laikipia Air Base. Gen. North commended base leadership on their initiatives, operations and efforts in accomplishing armed surveillance and reconnaissance missions along the nation's northern border with Somalia. He also met with operations and maintenance technicians and tactical level pilots. He noted that it is the combination of their professionalism and dedication to missions, alongside the other Kenyan military services, that facilitates their efforts on cross-border movement of Council of Islamic Courts members.

"The tireless efforts of the Kenya Air Force are a strong indication of their willingness to support national security interests, which is required to lessen the impact of foreign fighters in Kenya," Gen. North said. "Having a deep respect for their professionalism, I am committed to our air power partnership and look forward to continued opportunities for professional exchanges and activities."

In support of bilateral air force to air force efforts, Gen. North is sending a team of airmen to Kenya in March to work side-by-side with Kenya's airmen on integrated operations and maintenance issues. As the general remarked to Gen. Waheru, "This visit holds great promise, and I'm convinced we'll learn as much from you as you will learn from us - this is the way air forces in the region support each other and grow together."

While in Nairobi, Gen. North also met with U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger and members of the Kenya-U.S. liaison office, the military cooperation arm of the Embassy. According to Embassy officials, Kenya has more peacekeeping operations forces deployed around the world than any other country.

Before leaving Africa, Gen. North met with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, Rear Admiral Richard Hunt, and incoming commander Rear Admiral James Hart to discuss his Kenya and Yemen visits. They discussed air and space operations throughout HOA and agreed that continued regional engagement efforts will strengthen the partnerships, common interests and security issues of the African nations, coalition partners and the United States.

CJTF-HOA conducts unified action in the Combined Joint Operations Area-Horn of Africa to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism.