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On 8/26/2009 12:38:59 PM Master Sergeant Jim Fisher, 17th Air Force wrote
I'm finally in Kenya. After being a part of 17th Air Force, U.S. Air Forces Africa and U.S. Africa Command for a little over a year, I've made it to one of the continent's most interesting nations. I was peering and craning my neck in three different directions to see what I could make out through the windows of our aircraft as we descended en route to Nairobi.
I was hoping to see herds of zebra, elephants, or even a sun-bathing hippopotamus or two. I don't know what I hoped to see, realistically, but my previous trips to Africa have been full of surprises and left me struck with the conclusion that Africa exceeds expectations.
The landscape was incredible through and through. And we did encounter zebras grazing on our way to Laikipia Air Base. But this was a work trip after all. I was in Kenya as part of a senior leader engagement led by our commander, Major General Ronald R. Ladnier. So I tried to push aside visions on hippos and rhinos and started to engage with our hosts.
I had been reading up on Kenya. I was struck with Secretary of State Clinton's praise for the Kenyan military, which remained neutral and professional during the disputed election and turmoil that followed in 2008.
I got a sense, that relative to many other countries' forces I'd visited over the course of my career; they seemed very sharp, very professional and very competent. This really hit home when I was standing outside of the Laikipia commander's office. A set of core values was on display.
"The armed forces will steer clear of politics and remain steadfastly apolitical."
The first of five tenets was the most telling. The remaining four were centered on the rule of law, patriotism and professionalism. They caused my General to remark later to assembled Laikipia leadership that these core values were very similar to ours. In the U.S. Air Force, we hinge all we do on a foundation of integrity, service before self, and excellence. The underpinning for these values comes down to professionalism and patriotism -- and the rule of law as it related to our commission to serve the citizens of the United States.
It was clear in discussions with Kenyan Airmen that this is guiding principle behind everything they do -- their ultimate purpose: to serve the people of Kenya. The second tenet is titled "The Civil Prerogative."
"The Armed Forces shall always subordinate itself to democratic civil authority and exemplify civility it all its dealings with the people of Kenya."
A question that has been posed since the creation of U.S. Africa Command centers on the history of oppression and atrocities that have been perpetrated by some military forces on the continent.
"Isn't it dangerous to increase the capabilities of military forces on the continent, given the history of how they have sometimes been used by tyrannical and corrupt leaders?"
The answer is about the rule of law. U.S. Africa Command works with partner nations' militaries on the basis of a respect for the rule of law. We try to pass it on as the foundation of the way our forces operate, and we support the development and institutionalization of this idea: that military forces exist to serve their nation's people.
In Kenya, a country we often term a "responsible and committed member of the African Union," this is certainly the case. They have demonstrated this commitment to rule of law in times of political strife, as the Secretary pointed out, and they have been a positive influence on matters in the region ranging from piracy to terrorism.
They share our values and as the visit revealed, there are many things we can work on together. This is partnership. In my reading in advance of the trip, it occurred to me that we use the word partnership a lot but often don't take time to discuss what this really means.
I saw it in Kenya this week. It means working together on the advancement of shared goals and ideals. While I didn't get to go on safari (except for my view from the air) the trip proved very interesting anyhow. Africa never fails to surprise me.
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