Tropical cyclones are one of nature's most destructive phenomena. The genesis of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin is a challenge for forecasters and researchers alike. The impacts of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), a warm, dry dusty air mass that moves from West Africa over the Atlantic, on tropical cyclone (TC) genesis is a hotly debated topic. Observational and modeling studies suggest competing influences on convection and TC development. The NAMMA field campaign during August-September 2006 investigated African easterly waves, the structure of the SAL, and TC-SAL interactions with the DC-8 aircraft. Data collected include cloud microphysical (cloud water content, drop size distribution), aerosol characteristics (LASE lidar, LARGE), dropsonde, and radar (both aircraft and ground-based) during 13 flights of the aircraft. The atmospheric layer between the surface and 2 kilometers in altitude was focused on to concentrate on the interface between cloud base and the Saharan dust layer; reduced droplet sizes and increased concentrations were expected to be found. Additionally, data between 10-12 km in altitude was examined to determine impacts of dust on ice particle concentrations, updraft speeds, lightning, and convective structure. Results show that the dust within the SAL played a positive role in the intensification of convection associated with several tropical waves, as well as rain-bands associated with the genesis of both Tropical Storm Debby and Tropical Depression Eight (which later became Hurricane Helene). However, the SAL also suppressed the development of several of these same waves during the NAMMA campaign. Overall, this suggests a complex interaction between the SAL and tropical cyclones.