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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      37 African nations, US kickoff AACS 2023 in SenegalPublished March 1, 2023
                    
                    By Master Sgt. Michael Battles
                    
                    
                    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
            **DAKAR, Senegal (AFNS) --**The Senegalese Air Force, along with the Association of African Air Forces sponsored by U.S. Air Forces Africa, officially kicked off the 12th annual African Air Chiefs Symposium with an opening ceremony, Feb. 28, in Dakar.
This year’s AACS is co-hosted by Senegalese air force Brig. Gen. Pap Souleymane Sarr, Senegal air chief of staff, and U.S. Air Force **Gen. James Hecker**, **U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa** commander.
“The Association of African Air Forces is a great platform for us to gather and transform concepts into reality,” Hecker said. “This forum, the African Air Chiefs Symposium presents a unique opportunity to confront key challenges that threaten a stable and prosperous Africa. Our open dialogue will address this year’s theme of African Air Forces in the Fight Against Transnational Threats.”
The African Air Chiefs Symposium is a multinational security cooperation initiative that features a diverse range of workshops as well as cultural activities. It is intended to foster more effective military relationships between participating nations.
The 38 participating nations include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia, Uganda and the United States.37 African nations, U.S. kick-off AACS 2023 in SenegalSomalian air force Brig. Gen. Mohamud Sheikh Ali Mohamed, chief of the Somalian air force, signs the Association of African Air Forces Charter during the opening ceremony of the African Air Chiefs Symposium 2023, Feb. 28, 2023, in Dakar, Senegal. The AACS identifies key challenges confronting African air chiefs and seeks to strengthen partner networks within Africa by expanding membership of the AAAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Madeleine E. Jinks)
            
            
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    37 African nations, U.S. kick-off AACS 2023 in SenegalMembers and guests of the African Air Chiefs Symposium 2023 watch a video greeting from U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. during the opening ceremony Feb. 28, 2023, at Dakar, Senegal. African Air Chiefs Symposium 2023 is focused on trans-national threats to African airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Thompson)
            
            
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    37 African nations, U.S. kick-off AACS 2023 in SenegalSenegalese air force Brig. Gen. Papa Souleymane Sarr, chief of staff, Senegalese air force Gen. Cheikh Wade, chief of defense, and U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, welcome guests and participants during the opening ceremony for the African Air Chief Symposium 2023, Feb. 28, 2023, in Dakar, Senegal. The AACS seeks to identify key challenges confronting African air chiefs and seeks to strengthen partner networks within Africa by expanding membership of the AAAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Madeleine E. Jinks)
            
            
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“These events promote dialogue, help bridge capabilities, promote integration, and enhance peace,” U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.** “This year's symposium is focused on African Air Forces in the fight against transnational threats like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the importance of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance to regional security, as well as the contributions of women to peace and security.”
AACS 23 is focused on various small-group sessions to foster a spirit of collaboration, a senior enlisted leader forum, and cultural events to strengthen the partnership between all nations involved.
The Association of African Air Forces was conceptualized during AACS 2014 and established at AACS 2015 when three African partner nations Mauritania, Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal and the U.S. signed the AAAF Charter.
Somalia became the 29th member of the association when Somalian air force Brig. Gen. Mohamud Sheikh Ali Mohamed, chief of the Somalian air force, signed the AAAF Charter at the end of the opening ceremonies.
“The Association of African Air Forces is in its eighth year as an organization, providing strength and cooperation, ensuring a coalition to support air operations across Africa, and leveraging each nation's unique capabilities and contributions,” Brown said. “During this symposium, I encourage you to collaborate and build relationships. Learn from one another, have open and honest dialogue, and ask the difficult questions to guide progress.”
The African Air Chief Symposium, which first started in 2011, is hosted each year by a different member of the Association of African Air Forces.LR 



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