Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is employing Djibouti to expand regional cooperation.

Officials said the Defense Department was planning to increase procurement of supplies from Djibouti for the U.S. military presence.

They said the plan, which required legislation by Congress, was meant to encourage defense and military cooperation with the Arab state.

The U.S. Air Force has used its expanding presence in Djibouti for cooperation with African militaries, Middle East Newsline reported. On Feb. 7, the air force hosted 60 officers from African states for an aviation security program in Djibouti.

“African Partnership Flight is the premier program for delivering aviation security cooperation,” the U.S. Air Forces, Africa, said. “The goal of the event is to discuss possible best practices of the neighboring nations and strengthen relationships among airmen to improve regional security.”

The five-day seminar was focused on the Djibouti Air Force. But officers said representatives from Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda also attended.

Over the last three years, the U.S. military has expanded its presence in Djibouti. More than 1,000 U.S. troops were based in Djibouti’s Camp Lemonnier, where they tracked Al Qaida and other threats in the Horn of Africa.

During African Partnership Flight-Djibouti, some 25 officers from the U.S. Air Force held lectures on aircraft maintenance, security and load planning. The officers were aided by French translators.

“Air chiefs from the five African nations and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark D. Camerer, USAFE-AFAFRICA plans, programs and analyses director, will also visit their airmen to observe workshop discussions,” the U.S. Air Force said on Feb. 6.

  U.S. expanding military presence in Djibouti to enhance regional ties, WorldTribune.com