The Association of African Air Forces (AAAF) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s role in advancing African airpower while conveying condolences to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over the recent ATR aircraft crash.
Representing the AAAF Co-Chairman, Major General Melissa Coburn conveyed the Association’s message of solidarity to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who also serves as Chairman of the AAAF.
The engagement took place during the Trilateral Leadership Review Conference involving the United States, Kenya and Nigeria, held from October 13 to 16, 2026.
The conference featured strategic engagements with the Eastern African Standby Force (EASF), visits to key aviation facilities and discussions on preparations for the Association of African Air Forces Exercise (AAAFEX) 2027, scheduled for February 2027.
The EASF delegation, led by its Force Commander, Brigadier General Stephen Huria, expressed commitment to participating in the exercise, highlighting its potential to strengthen Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), enhance interoperability and improve responses to operational and humanitarian emergencies.
The engagements further reinforced the NAF’s commitment to regional cooperation, professional exchanges and collective operational capability.
Nigeria’s participation in the conference and preparations for AAAFEX 2027 underscore its contribution to strengthening African airpower and advancing coordinated responses to emerging security challenges across the continent.
