American-French Support Agreement Signed at Ramstein

American-French Support Agreement Signed at Ramstein
Ramstein Air Base, Germany -- (SIRPA-Air)
January 19, 2006 -- French and U.S. Air Forces in Europe military
leaders met here Jan. 19 to sign a Technical Arrangement that refined the
support relationship between the USAFE and the French Military Mission to USAFE
assigned to Component Command Air Headquarters Ramstein.

Brig. Gen. Mike Snodgrass and Brig. Gen. Philippe Leheup
(FAF
Photo).
The official signing was done by Brig. Gen. Mike Snodgrass, USAFE Plans and
Programs director, and Brig. Gen. Philippe Leheup, Chief of French Military
Mission to USAFE and Component Command Air Headquarters Ramstein.
"Progress on this arrangement was typical of our close working relationship with
our French comrades," said General Snodgrass. "Everything went as planned, and
we achieved an extremely positive result for both parties."
General Snodgrass explained that the USAFE and French missions were currently
exploring the possibility of sharing weather information between the two Air
Forces. "This is just one of many successful endeavors with the French Mission,”
he said.
The Technical Arrangement, which can be compared to a Base Support Agreement,
covers a wide range of services provided to USAFE’s French Allies at Ramstein.
Everything from Housing to Health Care is spelled out so that there is a clear
understanding of what level of support is available and the method of
reimbursement, if required. This is the fifth of 11 agreements involving NATO
partners being updated by USAFE Plans and Programs.
"This update is very well timed," said General LeHeup. "With our recent move to
the new NATO Headquarters building on Ramstein, most of the ways we receive
support have changed.”
General Leheup also saw this as very successful collaboration. In closing he
remarked, “We are looking forward to improving bilateral relationship, for
example units exchanges in Europe.”
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