U.S. Air Force General: Washington and Baku Enjoy Effective Cooperation

According to U.S. General Darren McDew, Commanding Officer of the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Washington and Baku enjoy effective cooperation in the field of security. USTRANSCOM is the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

“During my visit to Afghanistan, the head of peacekeeping missions informed me about the important role Azerbaijan plays in peacekeeping operations in the country and asked me to thank the leadership of Azerbaijan for the contributions,” Gen. McDew said at a briefing held in Baku on December 17th. “I think that security and stability will be preserved in the region and different countries of the world thanks to the contributions of Azerbaijan.”

Azerbaijan, a nation bordering Russia and Iran, is an active member of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. This mission, created by the UN Security Council in 2001, seeks to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and to assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions. As of April 2016, the Azerbaijani peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan includes 90 servicemen, 2 medical officers and 2 members of the explosive ordnance disposal unit.

“Serving along servicemen from other countries, the Azerbaijani soldiers got the opportunity to benefit from their experiences and get acquainted with modern weapons and equipment. This cooperation was also useful for Azerbaijan. Indeed, it is a pleasure for us to cooperate with Azerbaijan that has been independent for 25 years,” according to Gen. McDew.

During a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on December 16th, the 4-star U.S. General recognized Azerbaijan as a country that is strategically significant for the region. According to Gen. McDew,

“Ilham Aliyev’s steps to improve the transport network are important not only for the development of Azerbaijan’s economy, but also the entire region.”

Transportation development is a high priority for the Azerbaijani government. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, which is scheduled to launch by late 2017, and the construction of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, are among the largest transportation infrastructure projects in the country. McDew believes that these steps will allow the U.S. to take advantage of free navigation in the region .