What Are US Special Forces Doing in Niger?

a reply to: Zaphod58
Unfortunately you are correct, there is a lot documented on assets throughout the world...far too much if you ask me, especially since it can directly effect my safety. You are also correct that the Africa continent has a lot going on. Various bad guy groups have set-up camp, some have been there for years and others are trying to spread their operations there, so there we are trying to keep these clowns at bay. Trust me we are doing a good job at it, but seems like a never ending battle unfortunately

Just trying to make sure we present facts, so we don't feed the beast. A TDY 15 years ago or aircraft transiting thru is not the same a squadron being assigned there as it was implied... unless I read the post wrong, if so I apologies.

a reply to: wileel

It wasn't a simple TDY or transit. They rotate different squadrons to Camp Lemonnier. In 2012, they held a change of command for the squadron that was there at the time.

2012- theaviationist.com...

They may have replaced them with F-16s now, but they were there for over 10 years, 6-8 aircraft at a time, as an expeditionary squadron. They only recently moved F-16s to the base.

a reply to: Zaphod58
Sorry to continue to rain to this parade but I'll repeat myself and state the FACTS...there are currently no American fighters assigned to DJ and haven't been for the last few years, however it is likely there have been a few TDY units in and out. There is some fighter activity around the place occasionally but mostly foreign stuff like mirages. If you don't believe me buy a plane ticket you can look across the runway and see the ramp for yourself

a reply to: wileel

So you know better than the Air Force does about what they're up to.

Got it. If you say so.

Special stuff? What they're told to do? You'd have to understand what the "Special Forces" mission is. That is to "TRAIN" indigenous people, in gorilla warfare. Do not mistake, "Special Forces" with "Special Operations"... Two different missions, although they cross sometimes, and a lot! The U.S.A. only has one "Special Forces" unit, and that's the US. Army, Green Beret. The marines have their little marsoc unit,... (Because nobody, wants to hear them crying for more funding). US. Army has the Rangers, 82nd, 101st. and a few other "high speed" commando type units. U.S. Navy has the S.E.A.L teams.. (Very close to "special", but don't stick around long enough to create a repport with the natives). Delta is a conglomerate of everybody's best bad a**es... That's a special, kind of special. In country? 1.When marsoc is there, probably a small f'u political deal going down. (Green Berets where already there.) 2. Navy Seals, an extraction or hit job. (Green Berets where already there.) 3. Rangers, an extraction and probably going to be a war in the near future. (Green Berets where already there.) US. Air Force puts them in, pulls them out, provides cover.
Sorry OP, started ranting. Back to your question. They're doing what they get paid to do! Lay your head down and go sleepy night night... And thank "mother earth" or whatever heathen god, for your right to ask stupid questions.

a reply to: Zaphod58
I know what I see, you are just posting info you have heard or read (and some was from 15 yrs ago). This isn't a personal, I believe I'm much closely connected to this and more aware of what the AF currently has going on there. When was the last time you saw the ramp in DJ? I was there 4 months ago...and that was my fourth deployment.

Why is it so hard to accept, I've got nothing to gain here, I just want people to have facts to use when making opinions and having discussions