Bilateral discussions, a C-130J static display, and media roundtable event comprised the agenda for U.S. Air Forces Africa's latest senior leader engagement visit to Algiers, Algeria January 25-27, 2010. Major General Ronald R. Ladnier, commander, and his team of advisors and support personnel kicked off the visit with a C-130J static display and tour for Algerian Air Force pilots, engineers and maintenance officers.

"I was really surprised at the number of questions they had about the aircraft," said Staff Sergeant Kyle Smart, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "The questions were very detailed and specific and you could tell they have a lot of experience with the C-130."

Major Lakehal Mostefa, who completed pilot training in the United Kingdom in 1997, is now an Algerian Air Force instructor in the C-130H and looked at the C-130J with a critical eye.

"It seems to me very good; very simple and automatic in the cockpit," he noted. "I am looking for the user problems, like the carbon propeller. We have many dirt airfields in the South and the carbon propellers are not as strong as the old ones," he said.
While many of the current cadre of Algerian C-130 pilots and engineers were qualified through courses in the United States, such as Undergraduate Pilot Training, Basic Flight Engineer Training, and C-130 Flight Engineer Training, the Algerian Air Force has now developed a curriculum to train all aircrew members in-house.

"We do classroom and simulator training for pilots, flight engineers, loadmasters and maintenance members," said Lieutenant Colonel Bahlouli Nouredine, a C-130 instructor flight engineer. In addition, the Algerian Air Force participates in bilateral operational training events with the United States. In 2003 two C-130s from the U.S. and two from Algeria conducted training in southern Algeria. "We'll do flight exchanges where we have our pilots in your aircraft and yours in ours," Colonel Bahlouli explained, noting that the forces practiced low-level flights, airdrop, and night drop operations.

While Algeria and the United States have been diplomatic friends and partners for many years, U.S. Ambassador to Algeria David Pearce said, "military cooperation has come a long way in the last year." This is especially important given Algeria's role in the region as a leader in counterterrorism efforts. Engaging with Algeria as partners in supporting their counterterrorism efforts, "the military can be a catalyst for cooperation," he said.

The engagement wrapped up with a media roundtable event held at the U.S. Embassy and attended by reporters from six Algerian news outlets. Reporters queried General Ladnier on the purpose of his visit, the topics discussed with Algerian leaders, and what he sees as the way forward for the budding relationship.

"...we're interested in learning from and work with Algeria, because like Algeria, we're interested in peace, security, and economic development," Ladnier said. "We're in agreement with your leaders that we need to meet again and plan for future activities between our Air Forces."