U.S. Army Africa Sgt. 1st Class Keith D. Cade speaks with South African National Defense Forces soldiers during AAD 2010 at Air Force Base Ysterplaat, Cape Town, South Africa, Sept. 23, 2010.

U.S. Army photo.

More than 150 U.S Army and Air Force personnel took part in the Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) 2010 exhibition held at Air Force Base Ysterplaat, Cape Town, South Africa, Sept. 21-25 to build on an ongoing partnership between the U.S. military and South Africa National Defense Forces.

More than 300 exhibitors from 31 countries displayed their products to more than 17,000 trade visitors and 30,000 public spectators at this year’s event.

AAD 2010 is one of the premier events of its type in the world, and U.S. military participation aims to enhance cooperation and standardization with South African partners. AAD 2010 gave U.S. military leaders a chance to meet other air chiefs from across the globe and showcase a variety of equipment, said Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, 17th Air Force Commander, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, who led U.S. Department of Defense representation at the event.

“This has been a terrific event in that it’s raised the partnership level between the United States and the South African National Defence Forces,” said Woodward.

“We really appreciate the South African leadership in bringing together so many different countries to this multi-lateral event. It’s given us ... the opportunity to meet with so many different air chiefs from around the continent, so not only are we able to work to build upon our South African relationship, but in addition, relationships with air chiefs from all around the continent,” she said.

During the exhibition, U.S. forces conducted aerial demonstrations and displayed various military aircraft and ground vehicles from bases in the U.S., among them the C-130J Hercules, the C-17 Globemaster III, and the HH-60 Pave Hawk and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.

The AAD exhibition is the largest display of defense-related air, land and sea capabilities on the African continent, attracting the most advanced technologies from around the world. It serves as a major platform for South Africa’s defense industry and other international visitors to showcase their best technology and innovations, according to Maj. Gen. Hugh Paine, South African Air Force chief of force preparation.

“It’s a pleasure to have American forces here, bringing out equipment that many people don’t get to see,” said Maj. Gen. Hugh Paine. “It’s been very successful, our biggest show so far.”

For U.S. military members, events like AAD2010 provide an opportunity for better regional understanding and insight while encouraging follow-on initiatives such as military-to-military familiarization events and combined exercises and training opportunities.

“The U.S. military and South African National Defense Forces enjoy an established partnership built on mutual trust and interests, and the work by both sides that went into putting this event on will only enhance our military-to-military cooperation,” said Woodward.

Paine agreed, describing the relationship between U.S. military and South African National Defense Forces as, “a partnership that’s grown over the years. It (AAD 2010) gives us an opportunity to do some benchmarking, and it gives an opportunity for military-to-military interaction which is always very good.”

To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil

Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica