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Pacific Air Forces Commander visits Palau

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U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilcbach, center left, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. pose for a group photo at Roman Tmetuchle International Airport, Republic of Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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From left to right, U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., U.S. Ambassador of Palau John Hennessey-Niland, and Brian Woo, PACAF foreign advisor, pose for a group photo at Roman Tmetuchle International Airport, Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Jandrew Taala, left, assistant director of operations to the 36th Contingency Response Group, briefs U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, at Roman Tmetuchle International Airport, Republic of Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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A wreath laying ceremony takes place on Camp Katuu, Republic of Palau, July 28, 2021. Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., left, U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, center, Pacific Air Forces commander, and John Henneseey-Niland, U.S. Ambassador of Palau, presided over the wreath laying ceremony at camp Katuu. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Clayton Postlethwait, a senior maintenance technician assigned to Camp Katuu, receives a coin from U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, at Camp Katuu, Republic of Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach thanked Postlethwait for his hard work and dedication to keeping Camp Katuu fit for whatever mission is presented to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Wunderly Rote, center, the officer in charge for the Civic Action Team at Camp Katuu, gives a camp tour to The Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., left, and U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, right, at Camp Katuu, Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach visited Camp Katuu to speak with Airmen on standard operating procedures, the development of the camp, and any additional needs with completing Multi-Capable Airmen and Agile Combat Employment operations. MCA and ACE both support contingency response plans explained in the 2018 National Defense Strategy to develop a lethal, agile and resilient force posture and employment strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, center left, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. pose for a group photo at Camp Katuu, Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, left, Pacific Air Forces commander, receives a gift from Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. at Camp Katuu, Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, center right, Pacific Air Forces commander, meets service members assigned to Camp Katuu, Republic of Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach visited Camp Katuu to speak with Airmen on standard operating procedures, the development of the camp, and any additional needs with completing Multi-Capable Airmen and Agile Combat Employment operations. MCA and ACE both support contingency response plans explained in the 2018 National Defense Strategy to develop a lethal, agile and resilient force posture and employment strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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John Hennessey-Niland, left, U.S. Ambassador of Palau, U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, center, and Brian Woo, right, PACAF foreign policy advisor, talk with Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. and members of his cabinet in the ambassador’s home in Airia, Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., center, and members of his cabinet speak with U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, in the U.S. Ambassador of Palau’s home in Airia, Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

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John Hennessey-Niland, center left, U.S. Ambassador of Palau, and his wife greet U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, center right, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Brian Woo, PACAF foreign Policy advisor, at the ambassadors’ home in Airia, the Republic of Palau, July 28, 2021. Wilsbach traveled to Palau to discuss the possibilities of further strengthening the USAF and Palau’s relationship. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, traveled to the Republic of Palau July 28, 2021, to meet with local officials and service members at Camp Katuu.

The service members stationed at Camp Katuu are part of a Civic Action Team that consists of Army, Navy and Air Force engineers who perform six-month rotational deployments to Palau to support the local community with engineering projects.

During the visit, Wilsbach met with the U.S. Ambassador to Palau and participated in a joint press conference with Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr., where together they reiterated the importance of the U.S. – Palau strategic partnership.

“The United States has a long and rich history with Palau, and our recent exercises and mutual support demonstrate the importance of Palau to regional security.” Wilsbach said. “We look forward to our continued partnership and continuing to work toward our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Wilsbach ended his time in Palau touring a location designed for Agile Combat Employment operations under the 333 Funding Authority.

The use of 333 funded equipment allows the Secretary of Defense to provide equipment, services, and training to national security forces of one or more foreign countries for the purpose of building capacity to counter illicit drug trafficking, increase military intelligence and strengthen maritime and border security.