Australian Royal Air Force senior leaders visit 13 AF

  • Published
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Senior defense leaders from the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force met here Jan. 18 - 19. This high level visit was called in order to increase mutual understanding of the current and future priorities for the two air forces in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lt Gen Ted Kresge, 13th Air Force Commander, met with Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore and Air Vice Marshal Mel Hupfeld, the outgoing and incoming Air Commander Australia (ACAUST) respectively. The flag officers focused their discussions on strengthening the long standing alliance between the United States and Australia. In particular, discussions focused on command and control, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, and cyber defense. The Australian visitors also received a tour of the 613th Air and Space Operations Center and met with Pacific Air Forces senior leadership to discuss similar issues.

The ACAUST serves as the Air Component Commander of Headquarters Joint Operations Command. In this position, the ACAUST provides expert air advice on raise, train, and sustain issues to the joint environment.