COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Pacific Air Forces commander, has provided a strategic vision for the command, encompassing what she declares “The Four P’s” -- Partnership, Presence, Power Projection and People. The dedicated men and women of Pacific Air Forces have the honor of translating this strategy into operational and tactical realities.
Senior leaders across the military have articulated, “Virtual presence is actual absence.” Although modern day conveniences such as video teleconference provides the ability to connect with those thousands of miles away, members on either sides of the screen still lack a sense of a personal perspective.
PACAF partner nation air forces across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region understand and appreciate the inconveniences of the “tyranny of distance” by having to travel through multiple time zones in order to attend symposiums, conferences and exercises in often times jet-lagged conditions. However, they continue to power through these obstacles, because they understand how important their presence is -- being able to communicate in person and exchange ideas and talking points is exponentially more valuable than being connected virtually.
Reciprocally, our partners across the PACAF area of responsibility welcome the presence of PACAF members in their respective countries during these same types of engagements. One recent Key Leader Engagement involved Sri Lanka Air Force leaders hosting Maj. Gen. Abel Barrientes, PACAF Individual Mobilization Assistant to the vice commander, at the SLAF Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 16.
Barrientes travelled to Sri Lanka for senior-level discussions with SLAF Air Vice Marhsal CR Gurusinghe, Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Ranil Gurusinghe, Director of Training Air Vice Marshal Vijitha Gunaratne and Deputy Director of Aeronautical Engineering Air Commodore Andrew Wijewsuriya. The discussions centered upon strengthening the SLAF-PACAF relationship by enhancing the frequency and complexity of engagements.
Barrientes apprised SLAF leaders of the upcoming engagement plan for Fiscal Year 16 and FY17, including an upcoming PACIFIC ANGEL and inaugural Airman-to-Airman Talks scheduled for FY17, along with invitations to other PACAF-hosted conferences and Subject-Matter Expert Exchanges.
The highly successful discussions set the tone for vectoring the relationship between the two air forces on a trajectory promoting enhanced cooperation and interoperability and furthering stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Airmen from both air forces have much to look forward to as the SLAF-PACAF relationship evolves. They can expect to broaden their international professional networks as Airmen increase familiarity with one another and by being present in one another’s home countries.