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Air Forces Africa commander reaffirms commitment to North Africa

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, escorts U.S. Air Force Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, Jan. 4, 2020, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Harrigian arrived at CLDJ as part of a battlefield circulation to East Africa.

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Photo by: Senior Airman Kristin Savage 

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Air Forces Africa commander reaffirms commitment to North Africa

Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett, and Donald Blome, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, attend a ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery, Tunisia, Jan. 6, 2021. Harrigian visited various locations in North Africa to reaffirm the U.S. military's commitment to the region.

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Photo by: U.S. Embassy Tunisia 

Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, traveled to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti; Tunis, Tunisia; and Algiers, Algeria, Jan. 4-7 to meet with service members and key defense leaders in the region.

During the trip, Harrigian recognized the outstanding accomplishments of service members at Camp Lemonnier and discussed key policy initiatives focused on strengthening partnerships with Tunisia and Algeria.

“Our work in Africa is crucial to the success of our greater mission and the national security of the United States,” Harrigian said. “Day in and day out, our service members and partners are continuing to get after a diverse mission set despite unique and challenging situations.”

At his first stop, Camp Lemonnier, Harrigian met with deployed troops and the base’s military leadership.

For the final two legs of his trip, Harrigian joined Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett in Tunisia and Algeria. In Tunisia, Harrigian spoke to the Tunisian Air Chief, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Hajem, and the Tunisian Defense Minister, Ibrahim Bartagi, about the U.S.’ commitment to its strong relationship with Tunisia. Harrigian also thanked both leaders for Tunisia’s steadfast commitment to countering terrorism and promoting stability in the region.

In Algeria, Harrigian discussed the military partnership between the two nations. He met with both Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Laraba, the Algerian air force commander, and Maj. Gen. Ammar Amrani, the commander of the Algerian air defense forces, to lay the groundwork for additional military engagements and enhanced cooperation between the U.S. and Algeria in the future.

Continued engagement plays a crucial role in strengthening U.S. relationships with North African partner nations to better pursue a shared goal of global security.