A clearinghouse of the U.S. Africa Command's senior leader's updates on issues important at AFRICOM.
We encourage your comments and feedback.
Click here to see our public feedback
On 2/9/2010 10:37:28 AM Captain Lauren Byrd wrote
Rwandan Traveling Contact Team leaves SG captain in awe
My new year started with a wonderful opportunity to participate in a Traveling Contact Team to Rwanda. The purpose of the TCT was to provide the Rwandan Defense Force with familiarization and orientation to U.S. Air Force concepts in Aerospace Medicine including physical examinations, aeromedical waivers, medical recommendations for flying and medication use by aircrew.
The audience was comprised of 21 personnel from the RDF, both army and air force officers, including aircrew, medical professionals, and airfield operations managers. From the beginning, I was incredibly impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of the attendees. Maj. Joseph Demali and Maj Gregory Seshengero both graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in-residence course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., while Capt. Claver Karara graduated first in his class from the Airfield Management Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
Capt. John Miles, a flight surgeon from the 509th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, presented 12 current topics in aerospace medicine during the three-day event. Capt. (Dr.) Gisanura Ngabo, the only physician in attendance, was particularly interested in instituting methods in the RDF to determine whether or not aircrew were medically-qualified for flying duties.
During our visit, Captain Ngabo took Captain Miles and I on a tour of Kanombe Military Hospital in Kigali. I was in awe of the capability that the Rwandan military possessed to provide medical care to the military forces and civilian population. The facility, which serves as a referral hospital for many other health clinics in the region, possessed a full complement of primary and specialty care and ancillary services.
As I had the opportunity to meet each of the participants throughout the week, I asked each of them what they wanted to get out of the TCT. Each response was the same: they all wanted to learn concepts to improve the flight safety of their air force. All of the participants stressed the importance of having, not only medically healthy aircrew, but a fit and healthy force.
Before I arrived in Rwanda, I had a basic understanding of the capability of the Rwandan Air Force. However, I had no way to expect the knowledge, professionalism and hospitality that I experienced. It was an incredible opportunity and I hope that I was able to leave the audience with tools and methods to improve their capabilities. They definitely made a lasting impression on me.
PA mission to Ethiopia 1/8/2011 · By Airman 1st Class Jevon Smith
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa strategic communication combat camera videographer
VETCAP in Negele 1/8/2011 · Captain David Creech
402nd Civil Affairs Battalion functional specialty team veterinarian
Visiting Our Teams over the Holidays 1/4/2011 · Rear Admiral Brian Losey, commander, and Captain John Dixon, chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa
From LTC David Knellinger on 9/10/2012 2:02:03 PM "The Central Africa Region Environmental Security Symposium, hosted by the United States Africa Command Environmental Security Program and the United Nations Environmental Programme..." (Read Full Entry)
From Brigadier General Stayce Harris on 7/19/2012 8:54:32 AM "The following blog is by Brigadier General Stayce Harris, U.S. Africa Command's mobilization reserve assistant to the commander.
Over the past 2 years, I have had the..." (Read Full Entry)
Hamza in Gabes, Tunisia wrote on 10/2/2012 11:09:13 AM "I LOVE US ARMY I DREAM TO BE SOME ONE FROM MARINS ITS JUST DREAM..." (Read Full Entry)
Pamela in Virginia wrote on 10/2/2012 10:28:15 AM "This command much needed not only to ustain African governments ,but to also be an aide to our United States stability and protection. Many hostile in that area ,especially on East..." (Read Full Entry)
Herman in Pretoria wrote on 9/23/2012 5:46:33 PM "Awesome aircraft, thank you for the display! It is most appreciated...." (Read Full Entry)
Paul in UK wrote on 8/22/2012 9:16:10 AM "I was also involved in the communications training at Kisangani and share Michel Beya's comments I'm sure we met. What I saw was a very well trained battalion and hope that..." (Read Full Entry)
Mark in Fort Leavenworth wrote on 8/21/2012 10:25:29 PM "False allegations against Commander USAFRICOM appear to be in fashion. It is shameful that someone felt the need to assassinate the character of the previous commander — one ..." (Read Full Entry)