U.S. ESTABLISHING A SECOND UAV BASE IN NIGER
WASHINGTON - The United States is building a second base for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) in Niger. The base will be located at the mud-walled desert city of Agadez. This base will be third the United States is operating in the region.
Unmanned aircraft are tracking Islamic militants in North and West Africa. France is also operating UAVs in the region. U.S. and French troops have been working hand in glove as they steadily expand their presence in impoverished West Africa.
In Niamey, Niger's capital, U.S. and French forces set up neighboring UAV hangars in 2013 to conduct reconnaissance flights over Mali.
In Chad, the U.S. Air Force has been flying UAVs from a French military base to support operations by Nigerian security forces against local Islamic militants.
The Pentagon continues to broaden its UAV operations in Africa.