 has condoled with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over its ATR aircraft crash while advancing preparations for its multinational exercise scheduled for February 2027){kind=link}
The Association of African Air Forces (AAAF) has condoled with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over its ATR aircraft crash while advancing preparations for its multinational exercise scheduled for February 2027.
The association conveyed its condolences during the Trilateral Leadership Review Conference involving the United States, Kenya and Nigeria, held in Kenya from Oct. 13 to Oct. 16.
AAAF, in a statement by its Public Affairs Officer, Sqn.-Ldr. Olayinka Lawal, said Maj.-Gen. Melissa Coburn conveyed the association’s message on behalf of its Co-Chairman.
Lawal said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, represented by the AAAF Co-Secretary-General, Group Capt. Olakunle Bankole, appreciated the gesture and assured that the message would be conveyed to the CAS and the entire NAF family.
He said the conference also advanced preparations for the Association of African Air Forces Exercise (AAAFEX) 2027, scheduled for February 2027.
Lawal said participating delegations held strategic engagements with the Eastern African Standby Force (EASF), assessed facilities at Kisumu Airport and visited Moi Air Base to discuss regional cooperation and operational readiness.
In his remarks, the Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Maj.-Gen. B. Waliaula, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the successful conduct of AAAFEX 2027 and also expressed condolences to the Government and people of Nigeria over the aircraft accident.
According to the statement, discussions focused on the exercise’s objectives, participating stakeholders, areas of responsibility and translating joint planning into practical operational outcomes.
The association also explored potential EASF involvement in the exercise, with its Force Commander, Brig.-Gen. Stephen Huria, highlighting opportunities to strengthen cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief across Africa.
Huria stressed the importance of joint learning, sharing operational lessons and refining response plans to improve effectiveness during emergencies.
The AAAF Secretary-General, Col. Kristin Cullinan, said the exercise should produce practical lessons that could be applied to real-world operations.
She said it should go beyond training to deliver actionable outcomes that improve operational preparedness and response capabilities among participating air forces.
The statement said the engagements reinforced the association’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships, interoperability and coordinated responses to security and humanitarian challenges across Africa.