Features

Mauritania hosts US, 10 African nations for airfield safety partnership flight

August 21, 2026
by U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
U.S. Airmen and 10 African partner nation service members walk to a training session during the Mauritania Airfield Safety African Partnership Flight in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Aug. 5, 2026. The Mauritania Airfield Safety African Partnership Flight facilitates a mutual understanding of safety challenges and shared risk management perspectives to ensure interoperability among U.S. and African partner Air Forces to support regional objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jan K. Valle)

In a first-of-its kind event, Mauritania hosted the U.S. Air Force and members from 10 partner nation air forces in Nouakchott, Mauritania from Aug. 3-7 to share best practices and exchange perspectives on foundational airfield safety standards.

“Tactical-level experts from each participating nation are here in Mauritania to maximize information sharing to strengthen collective flightline operations in the region,” said U.S. Air Force Major Lauren Clark, 435th Tactical Advisory Squadron assistant director of operations. “Exchanging insights on safe airpower sustainment supports interoperability among everyone in attendance.”

Participants from the United States, Mauritania, Benin, Senegal, Chad, Ivory Coast, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Tunisia shared their experiences and participated in discussions. Throughout the event, topics ranged from airfield security, managing environmental hazards, foreign object debris on the flightline, and more. Specialists from each nation took the time to discuss challenges they face on a daily basis and how best to mitigate them.

Mauritanian Air Force 2nd Lt. Limam Chaffy Mohamed Lemin, sensor operator, meets U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Andrej Mitchel, 435th Tactical Operations Squadron section chief of standardization and evaluation in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Aug. 3. The Mauritania Airfield Safety African Partnership Flight facilitates a mutual understanding of safety challenges and shared risk management perspectives to ensure interoperability among U.S. and African partner air forces to support regional objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jacob Willoughby)

“We support partners by bringing capabilities and expertise unique to the United States,” said US Air Force Staff Sergeant Austin Doll, 435th Tactical Advisory Squadron airfield management specialist. “The opportunity to meet in this forum with African partner nations and discuss how we can work together safely in the future allows for operational-level idea-sharing where everyone benefits.”

By augmenting airfield expertise, doors are opened for deeper partnerships and safeguarded interests, serving as a force multiplier for regional stability. Ultimately, this cooperation bolsters the safety of Northwest Africa while simultaneously defending the United States.

“Our partnership with Mauritania is crucial to the collective security of West Africa,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jasmin Silence, A5I division chief. “By collaborating on safe airfield practices, we enhance our ability to collectively disrupt persistent threats across the continent.”

Through dedication to fostering collaborative partnerships in Africa, USAFE-AFAFRICA is empowering partner air forces to ensure regional threats are countered, safeguarding Africa and the United States.

U.S. Airmen and service members from 10 African partner nations participate in the Mauritania Airfield Safety African Partnership Flight in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Aug. 5, 2026.The Mauritania Airfield Safety African Partnership Flight facilitates a mutual understanding of safety challenges and shared risk management perspectives to ensure interoperability among U.S. and African partner Air Forces to support regional objectives.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jan K. Valle)

 

Leaders from the U.S. Air Force and partner African air forces exchange ideas during a roundtable discussion as part of the Mauritania Airfield Safety African Partnership Flight in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Aug. 6, 2026. The Mauritania Airfield Safety African Partnership Flight facilitates a mutual understanding of safety challenges and shared risk management perspectives to ensure interoperability among U.S. and African partner Air Forces to support regional objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jan K. Valle)
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