Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Members of the 435th Contingency Response Element pose with Rwandan soldiers outside a C-17 Globemaster III Jan. 19, 2014, at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, while supporting peace keeping operations in the Central African Republic.  Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing’s Contingency Response Group responded to a request from France and the African Union for U.S. support to move Rwandan forces into the region. (Courtesy photo)Members of the 435th Contingency Response Element pose with Rwandan soldiers outside a C-17 Globemaster III Jan. 19, 2014, at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, while supporting peace keeping operations in the Central African Republic. Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing’s Contingency Response Group responded to a request from France and the African Union for U.S. support to move Rwandan forces into the region. (Courtesy photo)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Ramstein AB Airmen lead Rwandan port operationsPublished Jan. 31, 2014
                    
                    By Capt. Justin Rex
                    
                    
                    435th Contingency Response Element
            **RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) --**In an effort to confront destabilizing forces and violence within the Central African Republic, France and the African Union have requested U.S. support to move Rwandan forces into the region.Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing's Contingency Response Group responded to the request. A joint Air Force and Army team of 35 aerial porters, along with maintainers and logistics planners, are on the ground at Rwanda's capital city of Kigali to assist in the African mission."I couldn't be prouder of what our Airmen are doing in Africa right now," said Col. Joseph McFall, the 435th AGOW commander. "The support they are providing our international partners is key to enabling African-led solutions to stabilizing the region."Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, is a key staging area for transport of the Rwandan troops, supplies and equipment into the Central African Republic. The mixture of civilian and military air transport created a unique and challenging environment to move more than 850 Rwandan troops and more than 1,000 tons of supplies and military equipment.Fifteen members of the CRG's 435th Air Mobility Squadron are working with the Rwandan mechanized battalion to load personnel and equipment onto U.S. aircraft by building pallets containing security equipment, clearing weapons and creating load plans.The CRG's 435th Security Forces Squadron is also on the ground. The defenders perform airport security surveys and are working with the embassy to conduct route surveillance. An independent duty medical technician is also assigned and is responsible for providing limited medical care to the expeditionary team.Rwandan military personnel are expected to remain in the Central African Republic for one year."What the Rwandans are doing in Central Africa is a key component of helping stabilize the region," said Tech. Sgt. Carnard Drayton, the NCO in charge of aerial port operations at the 435th AMS.The 435th AGOW is located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and has about 1,500 Airmen, civilians, contractors and local nationals ready to deploy and support a wide variety of contingency operations while enabling U.S. Africa Command and U.S. European Command goals throughout the region.Germany 



Rwandan forces 



435th Air Ground Operations Wing's Contingency Response Group 



Ramstein Air Base Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil