Approximately 25 subject-matter experts (SME) from Pacific Air Forces toured Clark, Basa and Mactan Benito Ebuen air bases in the Philippines to share operational experience with their counterparts and further deepen their military-to-military relationship.
“We are gaining a lot of valuable tools through these SME venues,” said Philippine Air Force (PAF) Lt. Col. Thomas Ryan Seguin, 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron commander. “It allows us to accelerate our learning speed and become more effective with our flying operations, rather than learning things the hard way – through trial and error.”
The visitors from PACAF were provided with a close-up look into the daily practices conducted at each installation, where specialists discussed and explored new ways to improve proficiency and their combined interoperability.
Participants in the exchange hailed from various backgrounds such as communications, munitions, logistics, safety, aircraft maintenance and fighter operations.
U.S. Air Force Col. James Shigekane, 13th Expeditionary Air Squadron commander, said the quarterly gathering is an effective way for both air forces to share a wealth of knowledge and heighten their level of readiness when responding to a crisis.
The Indo-Asia Pacific region is susceptible to a range of natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, flash-floods, volcanic eruptions and more. With an unpredictable occurrence of disasters, the allied militaries are making strides to increase levels of readiness level, to enable the delivery of rapid assistance to those in need.
Along with humanitarian assistance capabilities, the exchange also enabled leaders and specialists to further their competencies with precision guided missile and munitions operations as well as command and control tactics.
The air contingent exchange is just one the ways the U.S. and Philippine militaries uphold mission readiness. Other ongoing events and exercises include Balikatan, Pacific Angel, and the Airman-to-Airman talks, all of which are geared to promote cohesion among allies and peace in the Pacific.
