Hands-on day at African Partnership Flight Mauritania

by Master Sgt. Brian M. Boisvert
AFAFRICOM APF Mauritania

9/1/2014 - ATAR, Mauritania -- The second day of African Partnership Flight Mauritania began Sept. 1, 2014, with the arrival and close-up viewing of a Cessna-208 Grand Caravan from the Mauritania Air Force.

Its arrival gave students an opportunity to experience the Mauritanian aircraft and learn about all the features it has to offer the Mauritanian military.

Mauritanian Air Force Capt. Eyoub Teyss, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations officer, led the tour of the aircraft for more than 50 students from six African partner nations and 17 U.S. Air Force Airmen.

During the tour, students learned about the surveillance capabilities and the cargo carrying versatility that the Cessna has to offer in support of Mauritanian military operations.

"This is a very important aircraft to our military," said Mauritanian Air Force Master Sgt. Ahmed Beheitt, Cessna crew chief. "I am very proud to have this plane in my military, and I am honored to supply the maintenance that keeps this important plane flying."

This aircraft is a newly added airframe that enables the Mauritanian Air Force to see into the dark night landscape and keep the area safe.

After learning about the aircraft, students continued their learning with additional lessons on ISR, ground and safety, and air command post operations.

"I am happy to see the training event is going so well," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Hartmut Casson, APF Mauritania mission commander. "This is a very strong group of students and they are learning so much that will help them complete their military missions and build even stronger multi-national partnerships for years to come."