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Gen. James Hecker, who heads the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), has revealed that targeted airstrikes against terrorist strongholds across Africa will be carried out by the U.S. Air Force. Speaking at the 2025 African Air Chiefs’ Symposium (AACS) in Lusaka, Zambia, on Wednesday, Hecker detailed Washington’s intensified military response to terrorism on the continent during a digital news briefing.
According to The Eastern Updates, the digital conference was organized to provide Gen. James Hecker with a platform to discuss the U.S. military’s engagement with African nations, highlighting its partnerships and role in the African Air Chiefs’ Symposium (AACS).
Highlighting the dangers posed by ISIS, Hecker reaffirmed the U.S. military’s commitment to striking terrorist targets that threaten Africa and American interests. He cited Somalia as a recent battleground where the U.S. took decisive action against ISIS militants.
“They are significant high-value targets that threaten African nations and threaten the United States.
“So we will continue to go after terrorist organisations that threaten our African partners as well as the United States,” he said.
Beyond military security, Hecker emphasized U.S. collaboration with African air forces in humanitarian and disaster relief missions. He also acknowledged ongoing U.S. support for Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts, particularly in improving the country’s air dominance over Boko Haram.
“Well, I think as you know, the U.S. Government has provided training and equipment to Nigeria for quite a while, so hopefully that will help them out.
“But what we’re looking at in this conference is not that. We’re not talking about air superiority or conflict.
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“We’re talking about how we can help each other – African nations can help one another – and that’s what the goal of this conference is,” Hecker said.
