The Uganda People’s Defense Air Force has for the first time sent a contingent of ace pilots to support the ongoing African Union (AU) peace operations in Somalia. The contingent was flagged off by the chief of defense forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and the commander of the air force Gen. Jim Owoyesigire.
The air force will provide aerial escort for convoys, reconnaissance operations along the supply routes, medical evacuation, air search and rescue as well as aerial combat against the al-Shabaab in Mogadishu.
The new deployment will offer reinforcement to the AMISOM troops barely three days since a deadly suicide attack killed over 45 people in Mogadishu. UPDF has been an important partner to Somalia and AMISOM troops. The new, reinvigorated troops will be additional pressure on the already desperate and exhausted Al Shabaab militants.
