At least 38 Air Force commanders from across Africa are currently meeting in Nairobi for 9th Symposium for Africa air chiefs which will last for four days.
The symposium kicked off a day after the completion of African Partnership Flight programme, which saw troops from various nations learn search and rescue mission.
The troops spent four days in Laikipia and Isiolo, with US Air Force Africa team taking charge of the personnel recovery programme, the first in Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said that airpower played a key role in every nation and there was a need to constantly improve capabilities.
"Forums such as these, therefore, provide opportunities to share best practices and in the process help us improve our individual and collective airpower capabilities," said Omamo.
Kenya Air Force boss Major General Francis Ogolla lamented about the strained budget, arguing that running Air Force is not an easy exercise.
“Operating an air force is a very expensive venture. Budgetary allocation is a challenge we always want more than we get,” he said.
United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Commander Jeffrey Harrigian said that the symposium was important in building “trust in operations” across the continent.
“Together we stand shoulder to shoulder to assist each other in bringing stability and security to the region,” he said.
Air Force personnel plays a key role in giving ground troops backups in war torn countries. In 2012, Kenya Air Force played an integral role in liberation of Kismayo.