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U.S. Air Force Participates in the 7th Edition of the Marrakech Airshow 2024
During the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch highlighted Morocco's status as Africa's leading exporter of aircraft components and parts. He credited this achievement to the significant support and vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in fostering the growth of the aeronautical industry within the Kingdom.
This year's airshow is particularly significant, providing a unique opportunity for high-level military officials from the U.S. and Morocco to engage with one another, as well as with representatives from various African nations. The event fosters diplomatic ties and bolsters international security cooperation, reflecting the ongoing commitment to strengthening U.S. strategic partnerships across Africa.
The United States is participating with several aircraft platforms at the event, including a C-130J Super Hercules from Ramstein Air Base in Germany and a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Utah Air National Guard. Brig. Gen. Ricky Mills, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, expressed enthusiasm about returning to Morocco, asserting that “The interactions and exchanges we have with our partners at MAS 2024 allow us to learn from and leverage the strengths of other nations.”
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Shawn Holtz, Deputy Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs for U.S. Africa Command highlighted the historical partnership between the United States and the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco. He noted that Morocco hosts AFRICOM's largest military exercise, African Lion, and has maintained a productive collaboration with the Utah National Guard for over two decades. “The United States and the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco share a longstanding partnership, with Morocco hosting AFRICOM's largest exercise, African Lion, and partnering with the Utah National Guard for more than 20 years,” said Brig. Gen. Holtz. “The Marrakech Air Show is one more opportunity to strengthen our relationship, exchange ideas, promote trust, and bolster security cooperation in the region,” he added.
The United States Africa Command AFRICOM issued a statement indicating that the two U.S. generals are taking part in bilateral discussions with senior leaders from the Royal Armed Forces and other African military leaders. The event also featured the participation of Lockheed Martin, represented by its Vice President of Capture Excellence and International Business Development (CE&IBD), John S. Clark.
The opening ceremony of the Marrakech Air Show2024 was also marked by the signing of several agreements aimed at fostering a brighter future for Morocco's aviation industry. Among these was a Partnership Agreement as part of the Boeing Company Offset Agreement, which will establish an advanced manufacturing research center: "The Africa Center for Manufacturing Excellence (ACME)."
Link to MAS24:
https://marrakechairshow2024.com/
Link to the AFRICOM Statement:
https://www.africom.mil/pressrelease/35616/military-leaders-from-the-us-and-morocco-strengthen-partnerships-at-the-marrakech-airshow
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