Maj. Gen. Jim Owoyesigire, Ugandan air force chief, visited 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) at Ramstein AB, Germany, becoming the first African air chief to call on 17th AF headquarters since the numbered air force stood up in October 2008. The meetings Nov. 9-11 were the latest step in the strengthening of an “already fantastic” relationship, said Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, 17th AF boss. Owoyesigire said 17th has been a key in helping his young air service develop an airlift capability so that it could contribute to peacekeeping activities in Africa, such as the African Union Mission in Somalia. He said lessons learned from the Ramstein visit will shape the next steps in cooperation. “[R]ight now, we are asking 17th AF to come and help us establish a squadron officers’ school and NCO academy in Uganda,” he said. (Ramstein report by MSgt. Jim Fisher)
The Air Force tanker fleet “did not meet” its availability and mission capable rate goals from fiscal 2019 to 2025, in large part because of parts shortages and delays fielding the KC-46 refueler, according to a Government Accountability Office report released June 10.