The US Air Force has begun flying missions out of their new southern Sahara Desert airfield in Niger. The base is meant to be used for intelligence operations, but is also running resupply missions in the region.
US Air Force Europe says that the early flights are being conducted in
part to assess the air field, which includes the largest ever Air
Force-led construction project of a runway. The long-term intention is
to begin using it for drone flights as well.
The US has long been interested in this being a base for flying drones
across Western Africa. The Nigerien government has allowed the US to
conduct drone strikes out of their territory, something they had
previously opposed.
The airfield cost about $110 million, and faced repeated delays from
sandstorms and locust swarms. Officials expect full flights to begin
later this year.
US Air Force Begins Flight Operations Out of Niger
New base meant to support intelligence operations in West Africa
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
Join the Discussion!
We welcome thoughtful and respectful comments. Hateful language, illegal content, or attacks against Antiwar.com will be removed.
For more details, please see our Comment Policy.
