Ethiopian Air Force Academy today graduated 50 Rwanda Air Force personnel.
Rwanda Air Force Chief of Staff, Major General Charles Karamba, along with Ethiopian Air Force Commander, Brig Gen Yilma Merdasa, attended the graduation ceremony.
The Rwandan Air Force Airmen have been undergoing an Aircraft Maintenance diploma course from the Ethiopian Air Force Academy.
In his remarks, Maj Gen Karamba thanked the Government of Ethiopia, the Defence headquarters and the Air Force in particular for the support.
He said the training is a result of the two countries’ historical and brotherly cooperation that dates back in the 90’s.
He congratulated Brig Gen Yilma Merdasa upon his new appointment as the Ethiopian Air Force Commander.
“I want to thank the Air Force Academy for having trained us for two years which is why we are celebrating today. I also thank the graduates for the job well done, and emphasise that in aviation, the real training happens at work and I believe the acquired skills will benefit us all,” said Maj Gen Karamba.
Among the 50 graduates are seven women, who like the rest; have specialized in aviation power plant, airframe, electrical, instruments, and navigation and armament systems.
Rwanda Defence Force and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces enjoy strong bilateral relations, and have over the last 20 years cooperated in areas of engineering, aviation, and medicine.