The United States handed over to Niger a hangar that will house two C-130 transport aircraft in Agadez in northern Niger. The hangar is set to boost aerial support by the Nigerien Air Force in the fight against militants in the Sahel region.
The U.S. Department of State-funded the 2,800 square-meter hangar, which includes an engine maintenance room, supply storage, training area, battery, and tool rooms, and has a taxiway and apron measuring almost 13,000 square meters.
The hangar will house 2 C-130 mobility aircraft, recently purchased by Niger from the US, boost the Nigerien-US operations especially in fighting violent extremism in the Sahel region.
This comes as the US seeks to reduce its presence in Africa despite the threat posed by extremist groups on a steady rise especially in the Sahel and West African regions. Previously, U.S. forces based in Niger provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to their partners fighting terrorism in the Sahel, as well as crucial air-to-air refueling.
