Construction vehicles that would be too expensive to ship back to the United States have been donated to Niger after the US military completed Air Base 201 in Agadez.
The US Air Force on 28 February said the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron logistic readiness flight (LRF) received approval through the foreign excess personal property (FEPP) programme to transfer approximately 30 vehicles, worth $5.5 million, to the Government of Niger at Nigerien Air Base 201.
The FEPP programme is a process used by the US government to permanently transfer unneeded property to a foreign government. “This process saves taxpayer dollars and also increases partner nation’s defence capabilities,” the US Air Force said.
The transfer of vehicles and equipment between the US and Niger has been a two-year coordination process, and vital in assisting Niger’s Armed Forces in the fight against violent extremism and defend against transnational threats while also alleviating storage limitations for airmen in Africa, the Air Force said.
“This is a win for the United States as we continue to build our partner capacity with our host nation,” said Captain Matthew Reyes, 724th EABS LRF commander. “Another benefit is the installation will free up a large portion of real estate that was being occupied by these vehicles…around 57 000 square feet.”
The transfer consists of a wide-range of construction equipment no longer being used by the US, which will now support Niger-led construction projects both locally and nationally to include a firing range at Nigerien Air Base 101, Niamey, enabling more and better training.