JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Beginning next week, air chiefs and senior enlisted leaders from around the world will convene at the Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2023, taking place at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 13-16.
The symposium is a biannual event that began in 1989 bringing together senior leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities in and around the Indo-Pacific.
The central theme of PACS 23 is applying global lessons to challenges of regional security. Symposiums such as PACS provide another opportunity, beyond daily operations and exercises, to work alongside Allies and partners to strengthen collective capabilities, deterrence, and regional security.
This year's symposium holds a special significance, not only as the largest-ever PACS with more than 20 countries scheduled to attend, but also due to the unprecedented numbers of senior enlisted leaders attending and participating. The increased participation from partners around the globe, to include countries from Europe, North America, and South America, underscores the importance a free and open Indo-Pacific holds for nations around the world.
The week will include bilateral and multilateral engagements, forums, panels, and senior leader exchanges to foster deeper trust-based international relationships. The more these Alliances and partnerships grow, the more collective challenges diminish, enabling a stable and secure Indo-Pacific. The vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific is shared across the globe – and is achievable together.