Kenya is scheduled to host the inaugural full-scale Association of African Air Forces Exercise (AAAFEX) in early 2027, which will combine a Command Post Exercise and a Field Training Exercise for the first time. The exercise will also focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) scenarios.
The Kenya Air Force on January 7, 2025, hosted a delegation from the United States military for high-level talks aimed at fine-tuning preparations for the upcoming AAAFEX. The meeting set out a clear planning roadmap for the joint drill, which will integrate simulated decision-making sessions for senior commanders with live operations involving aircraft and personnel.
Activities will include search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, and the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies to affected areas.
The exercise is part of efforts to strengthen coordination among African air forces in responding to emergencies. Kenya has previously hosted related events, including the 9th African Air Chiefs Symposium in Nairobi in 2019, as well as smaller Tabletop Exercises. However, this will be the first full-scale exercise combining both command post and field training components.
The Kenya Air Force stated that the exercise will include comprehensive after-action reviews to assess the outcomes of the operations and capture lessons learned. The exercise is expected to test logistical planning, coordination among member states, and operational responses during simulated crises.
The 2027 AAAFEX is being planned to operationalise the Association of African Air Forces and enhance disaster response readiness across participating nations. Kenya is leading the roadmap and logistical planning for the exercise, which will involve multiple African member states and focus on improving coordination for HADR operations.
The AAAFEX builds on previous collaborations between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the United States military. The two forces regularly conduct joint exercises, including the annual Justified Accord, which brings together multinational forces to enhance crisis response, peacekeeping, and humanitarian capabilities.
Recent editions of Justified Accord included training in fighting in built-up areas, detecting and neutralising roadside bombs, responding to drone threats, and carrying out joint hostage rescue drills. The exercises have also featured community outreach programmes, with military teams offering medical and veterinary services to residents in counties such as Samburu and Lamu.
Other initiatives include Operation Toy Drop, which provides airborne training and professional exchanges in the United States, and integrated training exercises at Manda Bay and the Central Partnership Station in Mombasa, where the Kenya Navy conducted maritime security drills with U.S. and Israeli forces.
Exercises included vessel boarding and search operations, boat engine repairs, dive medical training, and crisis response simulations. The Massachusetts National Guard State Partnership Program has facilitated exchanges and training to improve engineering capacity, site development, and knowledge sharing between the forces.
