Gen. James Hecker, Commander of the U.S. Air Forces, Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), says the U.S. Air Force will carry out airstrikes against terrorist targets across Africa.
Mr Hecker stated this at a digital news conference on Wednesday, Wednesday, at the 2025 African Air Chiefs’ Symposium in Lusaka, Zambia.
Mr Hecker said terrorist groups like ISIS were high-value targets that threatened African nations and the U.S. and would be targeted by the U.S., as it did against ISIS in Somalia recently.
“They are significant high-value targets that threaten African nations and threaten the United States. So we will continue to go after terrorist organisations that threaten our African partners as well as the United States,” he said.
Mr Hecker said the U.S. was willing to collaborate with African air forces, not only by way of security support but also through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
On Boko Haram insurgency and how the U.S. air force can help the Nigerian military achieve air superiority over the terrorists, he said the U.S. had already been supporting Nigeria.
“Well, I think as you know, the U.S. government has provided training and equipment to Nigeria for quite a while, so hopefully, that will help them out.
“But what we’re looking at in this conference is not that. We’re not talking about air superiority or conflict. We’re talking about how we can help each other – African nations can help one another – and that’s what the goal of this conference is,” Mr Hecker said.
Zambia’s air force commander, Oscar Nyoni, gave an insight into the symposium and how AACS member states would respond to humanitarian needs if a disaster struck.
According to him, with AACS, humanitarian or disaster needs like foodstuff, logistics, supplies, and aerial vehicles will be easily provided by member states, who will contribute whatever they are able to contribute.
(NAN)
