The 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron logistic readiness flight (LRF) obtained approval by means of the overseas extra private property (FEPP) program to switch roughly 30 motorized automobiles, value $5.5 million to the Authorities of Niger at Nigerien Air Base 201, Agadez, Niger, Feb. 11, 2022. The switch of automobiles and gear between the U.S. and Niger has been a two-year coordination course of, and very important in aiding Niger Armed Forces (French language: Forces Armées Nigeriennes (FAN)) within the combat in opposition to violent extremism and protection in opposition to transnational threats whereas additionally assuaging storage limitations for Airmen in Africa. The FEPP program is a course of utilized by the U.S. authorities to completely switch unneeded property to a overseas authorities. This course of saves taxpayer {dollars} and likewise will increase accomplice nation’s protection capabilities.
“Many of the automobiles have been from the previous Pink Horse unit that was right here,” mentioned Senior Airman Keelie Ciaro, LRF fleet administration and evaluation and FEPP program lead.
Commercial
“This can be a win for the US as we proceed to construct our accomplice capability with our host nation. “One other profit is the set up will unlock a big portion of actual property that was being occupied by these automobiles…round 57 thousand sq. toes. The DRMS program would decide if the automobiles could be repurposed or salvaged. The FEPP program is saving the Air Pressure cash in transport prices by permitting our host nation to obtain these automobiles in nation, whereas permitting us to proceed constructing relationships with our companions,” mentioned Capt. Matthew Reyes, 724th EABS LRF commander.
“We admire the exhausting work by all concerned to make this a actuality and hope that it’s the mannequin for the long run. It simply makes logistics sense to not spend taxpayer {dollars} to maneuver gear for disposal when it could actually profit a accomplice nation,” mentioned Mr. Steven Lord, Chief, Theater Logistics Department, HQ USAFE-AFAF/A4RT.
“It’s principally building gear like bulldozers, rock dumps, graders and loaders. Sending the automobiles would price greater than the value of the automobiles. Donating them will enhance the capabilities of the federal government of Niger and generate good will between nations,” mentioned Workers Sgt. Jessica Ruiz, LRF fleet administration and evaluation NCO in-charge and FEPP program lead.
The switch consists of a wide-range of building gear now not getting used the U.S. which can now assist FAN-led building initiatives each domestically and nationally to incorporate a firing vary at Nigerien Air Base 101, Niamey enabling extra and higher coaching. If the property couldn’t be transferred to the FAN, the Protection Useful resource Administration System (DRMS) would have assumed duty which might have required cargo again to the U.S. During the last two weeks, 9 automobiles have been transferred to the FAN. The switch of automobiles is predicted to proceed by means of summer season of 2022 whereas US Airmen and FAN troopers navigate restore, logistics and administrative processes. Niger is important to frontline counter-violent extremism in each the Sahel and Lake Chad Area; as such, the U.S. steadily invests in additional constructing Niger’s counter-terrorism capabilities. Airmen at AB 201 proceed to be the best benefit and the cornerstone of tolerating relationships with Nigerien companions by dedicating effort and time to constructing accomplice capability and strengthening their defenses.
