Kenya, US Set For Historic Pan-African Air Force Drills
Kenya is set to hold the first full-scale Association of African Air Forces Exercise (AAAFEX) in early 2027, combining a Command Post Exercise with a Field Training Exercise for the first time.
The exercise will also cover Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) situations.
On January 7, 2025, the Kenya Air Force hosted a delegation from the United States military for high-level meetings to finalize preparations for the impending AAAFEX.
The discussion established a clear planning roadmap for the combined exercise, which will combine simulated decision-making meetings for senior commanders with live operations involving planes and soldiers.
Search and rescue activities, medical evacuations, and the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies to affected communities are all planned.
The Commander Kenya Air Force, Major General Bernard Waliaula, hosted a delegation from the United States Military Group Kenya, led by the United States Air Forces Africa AAAFEX Planner, Lieutenant Colonel James Christopher Legge, for a briefing at Kenya Air Force Headquarters.… pic.twitter.com/Owu6ezOxOR
— Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo) January 9, 2026
The drill is part of an effort to improve coordination among African air forces in response to catastrophes.
Kenya has previously hosted similar events, such as the 9th African Air Chiefs Symposium in Nairobi in 2019 and smaller Tabletop Exercises.
However, this will be the first full-scale exercise that includes both command post and field training components.
According to the Kenya Air Force, the exercise would include extensive after-action reviews to analyze operational outcomes and document lessons learned.
The exercise is designed to put logistical planning, member-state coordination, and operational responses to the test during simulated crises.
The 2027 AAAFEX is being planned to operationalise the Association of African Air Forces and enhance disaster response readiness across participating nations.
Kenya is leading the roadmap and logistical planning for the exercise, which will involve multiple African member states and focus on improving coordination for HADR operations.
The AAAFEX builds on previous collaborations between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the United States military.
The two forces regularly conduct joint exercises, including the annual Justified Accord, which brings together multinational forces to enhance crisis response, peacekeeping, and humanitarian capabilities.
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Other projects include Operation Toy Drop, which offers aerial training and professional exchanges in the United States, as well as integrated training exercises at Manda Bay and the Central Partnership Station in Mombasa.
The Kenyan Navy practised maritime security drills alongside US and Israeli soldiers.
Exercises covered vessel boarding and search operations, boat engine repairs, diving medical training, and crisis response exercises.
The Massachusetts National Guard State Partnership Program has facilitated exchanges and training to increase engineering capability, site development, and knowledge sharing among the forces.
Kenya, US Set For Historic Pan-African Air Force Drills
