The United States Air Force Africa Commander, Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, is in the country on a two-day visit aimed at strengthening ties between the US and Rwandan Air Forces. The US Air Force’s Africa Command serves as the Air component for U.S Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and oversees all Air Force activities on the African continent.
The United States Air Force Africa Commander, Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, is in the country on a two-day visit aimed at strengthening ties between the US and Rwandan Air Forces.
The US Air Force’s Africa Command serves as the Air component for U.S Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and oversees all Air Force activities on the African continent.
Upon arrival in Rwanda, Woodward visited the Rwanda Air Force base and the Radar station at Jali.
She also held talks with the Chief of Defence Forces (CDS) Gen. Charles Kayonga, which focused on how the two forces’ partnership can be strengthened.
Speaking to The New Times after the talks, Gen. Woodward said that her visit will focus more on enhancing partnership of the two forces.
"It is a good opportunity for me to come here and visit the air force and talk about how we can partner together for the future, to explore both regional and bilateral opportunities.
"We are all excited about improving our relationship even more and what we can do together to make things better for both the Rwandan Air force and the United States Air force. It is really an honour to pair up with such a professional air force,” she said.
According to the RDF Spokesperson, Col Joseph Nzamwita, the talks dwelt on the relationship between the two Forces and how the longstanding partnership can be furthered.
"The US army has been helping us in training, for example, the just-concluded air force training preparing our forces to be deployed in Darfur. So they want to help in Africa, especially in peacekeeping missions with emphasis on the Air Force,” said Nzabamwita.
Earlier on, Gen. Woodward visited the Kigali Memorial Center.