Pacific Air Forces commander arrives in India

  • Published
  • Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Pacific Air Forces commander, arrived in India Dec. 4 to meet with Indian defense officials and discuss mutual cooperation during the first PACAF commander’s visit to the nation since 2011.

Robinson is visiting at the invitation of Air Chief Marshall Arup Raha, India’s senior ranking military officer, for a series of base visits, cultural exchanges and military-to-military engagements throughout India.

“I’m truly grateful to be invited to see the Indian Air Force up close and learn more about their mission,” Robinson said. “We have much to learn from one another, and I’m sure this trip will provide a great opportunity to expand our developing partnership.”

This trip is designed to further enhance military ties between the U.S. and India at a key time in the U.S. government’s strategic rebalance in the Pacific.

“I believe the relationship between India and the United States can be one of the defining partnerships of this century,” said U.S. President Barack Obama during his January visit to New Delhi.

Strengthening ties between U.S. and Indian forces is a key focus area for U.S. Pacific Command. As PACOM’s air component, PACAF seeks to improve compatibility between the U.S. and Indian air forces in order to better response to regional crises.

“We place a high value on the PACAF-IAF relationship and desire to continue to grow the relationship with routine flying exercises and other engagements,” Robinson said. “Building and maintaining an active and reliable USAF-IAF relationship is a PACAF priority.”

Last spring, U.S. and Indian Airmen cooperated with other regional partners to provide aid to Nepal after a series of earthquakes. During this effort, the IAF used six C-17 Globemaster IIIs and five C-130 Hercules aircraft, among other airlift assets, to bring service members and supplies into Nepal.

Shortly after Nepal relief efforts, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, hosted Raha for a CSAF Counterpart Visit in order to build important bilateral relationships between the USAF and IAF.

In 2016, IAF is scheduled to participate in RED FLAG-Alaska, providing yet another avenue for engagement and partnership.