The African Air Forces Association, sponsored by the US Air Forces Africa in collaboration with the Senegalese Air Force, officially launched the 12th annual symposium of African air chiefs with an opening ceremony in Dakar on 28 February.

The AACS is co-organized this year by the Senegalese Air Force Brig, the g& U.S. Air Force General James Hecker commander , style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style”, "serif">Air Force American aircraft in Europe and air forces in Africa , et le General Pap Souleymane Sarr, Chief of the Air Staff of Senegal . Hecker said on the occasion: “the African Air Forces Association is a great platform for us to bring concepts together and turn concepts into reality.” For him, “this forum, the African Air Chiefs Symposium, offers a unique opportunity to address the main challenges that threaten a stable and prosperous Africa. Our open dialogue will address this year's theme of African air forces in the fight against transnational threats.”

In its vision of fostering more effective military relations between participating nations, the African Air Chiefs Symposium is a multinational security cooperation initiative that offers a diverse range of workshops as well as cultural activities.