Maj. Gen. Jim Owoyesigire, Ugandan air force chief, visited 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) at Ramstein AB, Germany, becoming the first African air chief to call on 17th AF headquarters since the numbered air force stood up in October 2008. The meetings Nov. 9-11 were the latest step in the strengthening of an “already fantastic” relationship, said Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, 17th AF boss. Owoyesigire said 17th has been a key in helping his young air service develop an airlift capability so that it could contribute to peacekeeping activities in Africa, such as the African Union Mission in Somalia. He said lessons learned from the Ramstein visit will shape the next steps in cooperation. “[R]ight now, we are asking 17th AF to come and help us establish a squadron officers’ school and NCO academy in Uganda,” he said. (Ramstein report by MSgt. Jim Fisher)
USAF Scoping Out Upgrades to Counter-UAS Weapons
Oct. 19, 2020
The Air Force is in the market for upgrades to its counter-drone technologies, according to an Oct. 16 request for information posted on a federal contracting website. The service is in the early stages of deploying lasers, microwaves, and other weapons more advanced than a shotgun to deal with potentially…