The Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), Gen. James Hecker, has announced that the U.S. Air Force will continue to carry out airstrikes against terrorist targets across Africa.
Gen. Hecker made this disclosure on Wednesday during a digital news conference while attending the 2025 African Air Chiefs’ Symposium in Lusaka, Zambia.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the digital conference was organised to provide an update on U.S. commitments to military partnerships with African nations and the operations of the AACS.
Hecker stated that terrorist groups, including ISIS, posed a major threat to African nations and the United States and would remain targets of U.S. military operations, as seen in recent airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia.
“They are significant high-value targets that threaten African nations and threaten the United States.
“So we will continue to go after terrorist organisations that threaten our African partners as well as the United States,” he said.
Beyond counterterrorism efforts, Hecker emphasised the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to collaborating with African air forces not only in security matters but also in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief initiatives.
Addressing the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and how the U.S. Air Force could assist the Nigerian military in achieving air superiority over terrorists, Hecker noted that the U.S. had been providing support to Nigeria over the years.
“Well, I think as you know, the U.S. Government has provided training and equipment to Nigeria for quite a while, so hopefully that will help them out.
“But what we’re looking at in this conference is not that. We’re not talking about air superiority or conflict.
“We’re talking about how we can help each other – African nations can help one another – and that’s what the goal of this conference is,” Hecker said.
Also speaking at the symposium, Zambia’s Air Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. Oscar Nyoni, highlighted how AACS member states would respond to humanitarian needs in the event of a disaster.
According to him, AACS provides a framework through which member states can contribute resources, including food supplies, logistics, and aerial support, to assist affected countries.
“Remember, we are an air force – we are air forces that have come together, and with our friends from the U.S. and all the other member-states.
“It becomes easier for logistics to come on board and makes it easy for the one who is in trouble to be assisted. The more the numbers, the better for us,” Nyoni said.
The African Air Chiefs’ Symposium serves as a platform for African air forces to enhance cooperation and strengthen regional security partnerships.
