Third Air Force Vice Commander Visits Niger

Maj. Gen. Carlton Everhart, 3rd Air Force vice commander, met with senior Nigerien military officials during a visit to Base Aérienne 101 in Niamey, Niger, according to officials from US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. Everhart discussed cooperation strategies, capabilities, and challenges with Gen. Seyni Garba, Niger’s chief of defense staff, and Col. Boukar Boulama, the African nation’s chief of air staff, during his April 29 visit, states the command’s release. He toured air force facilities, met with Nigerien airmen, and discussed the capabilities of Niger’s Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters and Su-25 fighter aircraft. “Our Nigerien partners have demonstrated a strong resolve to achieve stability and security,” said Everhart. He and his hosts also spoke about best practices for humanitarian crises, interoperability with ground troops, and ways to strengthen the two nations’ partnership, according to the April 30 release. “We are happy to work together with our American partners to counter mutual threats,” said Garba. (Niamey report by Capt. Reba Good)