Kenya Air Force commander Major General Francis Ogolla officially opened the African Partnership Flight (APF) training exercise at the Laikipia Air Base (LAB) on Wednesday.
APF is a program specifically designed to build strong transparent partnerships that enhance regional stability and security through formal alliances, partnerships and exchange of information.
The program has brought together participants from Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. US Africa Air Force troops as major facilitators of the program.
Speaking during the event, Major General Ogolla urged the participants to seize the golden opportunity and learn the best practices in Personnel Recovery doctrine and practice from the Massachusetts Air National Guard, who are the partners of APF exercise.
“Participants will be trained in Combat Search and Rescue operations in a multinational environment with an aim of strengthening military relations and improving interoperability within the region and with our allies,” he said.
"This is a programme that is designed to build a strong partnerships that enhance regional stability through formal alliances, partnerships and exchange of information," he added.
After a comprehensive four days of training, it will culminate to the actual exercise dubbed “Exercise Linda-Rhino 2” which is a combined Joint Task Force exercise for combat ready aircrew from the East Africa region and U. S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces in Africa.
ThThe exercise will actualize proficiency in undertaking future joint missions in National and Multi-national set up.
Participating team are drawn from KDF’s tri service. They include Special Force, Military Police, Rapid Deployment Squadron, Pilots and Naval personnel.
The training comes amid threats by Al-Shabaab militants, who have in the past raided the country. KDF soldiers are currently involved in active war against the militants in Somalia.
Also, the Special Force troops are part of the team conducting search and rescue mission of two Cuban doctors who were kidnapped by the militants in April from Mandera.
Kenyan troops are also concerned about Jubbaland Presidential polls, which are scheduled on Thursday. Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, Kenya's ally in fight against Al-Shabaab, is facing still competition.