Leaders from 16 countries gather to enhance cooperation

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Victoria Meyer
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
SAPPORRO, Japan --  U.S. military personnel joined representatives from 15 other nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region in Sapporo, Japan, September 11 through 14 to discuss the role that airpower plays in supporting peace and stability in the Pacific region.

The talks were part of the 2012 Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium, co-hosted this year by the Japan Air Self Defense Force and the U.S. Air Force. The symposium encourages relationship building and enhances cooperation among the air forces of Pacific nations. The concept of these types of gatherings is to help establish and enhance cultural understanding, encourage information sharing and interoperability, and they have also set the stage for participation by Pacific Rim nations in other events such as exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, subject matter exchanges, and other conferences. This year's symposium theme was Cooperative Security in Asia.

Maj. Gen. Russell Handy, Director of Operations, Plans, Requirements and Programs, Pacific Air Forces, led the U.S. delegation this year in Sapporo. Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, leads U.S. planning and execution of the annual PACRIM Airpower Symposium and Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference.

"There is tremendous benefit in having these multilateral discussions and it is great to hear everyone's perspective on common issues," General Handy said. "I believe we have had some very valuable discussions thus far and look forward to working with the participating countries in the near future."

Additionally, the Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference, the largest air force multi-national enlisted conference, was held in conjunction with the Airpower Symposium. The annual conference was first held in 2008 and is designed to enhance the professionalism of the different air force enlisted corps in the region.

Chief Master Sgt. Brooke P. McLean, PACAF command chief, co-hosted the enlisted leadership conference with Warrant Officer Hisanori Honda, senior enlisted advisor for the JASDF. This year, one main topic of discussion in the SEL Conference was career development. Several countries had the opportunity to share the timeline for enlisted progression and significant milestones along the way.

"We have the opportunity to see how other air forces operate so we can learn something from each one," said Chief McLean. "Nothing is wrong or right in this environment, it is all about sharing your experiences so we can understand each other and improve our own air forces and learn to work together."

Master Sgt. Oyunbold Daribish was the senior enlisted representative from Mongolia Air Force. "I see this conference as keystone to all the different leaders networking; getting to know each other," said Daribish. "It is a great venue to share information."  He added that Mongolia's Air Force is going through a transition period and they are working to restructure their enlisted career development.

"I will be able to take what I have learned about partner nations' force structure and professional development and propose improvements to my leadership," he said.

A total of 65 delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States participated in the symposium this year.

The symposium was formally known as the PACRIM Director of Operations conference. Beginning in 2008, 13th Air Force, the Pacific Air Forces organization responsible for U.S. participation in the PACRIM Airpower Symposium, began working with other nations in the region to plan and host the event. Last year, the Royal Australia Air Force hosted the event in Australia. This year, the Pacific Air Forces worked with the Japan Air Self Defense Force to plan the symposium. Next year's location has not been decided.