News>Thai air chief visit fosters strategic relationship
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Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong and General Gary North salute as they pass through the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam honor guard cordon Sept. 7, 2011, at the Pacific Air Forces Headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Itthaporn visited Hawaii to meet with General North and senior PACAF leaders to discuss common concerns and explore opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation. Itthaporn is the Royal Thai Air Force commander-in-chief, and North is the PACAF commander. of the (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn)
by Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
9/15/2011 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The Royal Thai Air Force commander-in-chief met with his Pacific Air Forces counterpart during a visit here Sept. 7 through 10.
Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong and Gen. Gary North, the PACAF commander, spent time together strengthening the long-standing relationship and paving the way for continued cooperation between the two air powers.
"The U.S. and Thailand have been close military partners since the mid-20th century," said Maj. Adrian Galang, a PACAF Philippines and Thailand desk officer. "We share the common strategic objective of peace and security in the region, and this visit continued to strengthen the relationship with our close ally, which helps preserve regional stability."
Galang also said the visit was important to PACAF and the Royal Thai Air Force because it helped to familiarize ACM Itthaporn on the diverse missions PACAF Airmen have.
The visit included a distinguished visitor's honor ceremony hosted by North and the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam honor guard, followed by a command priorities briefing during which the two air chiefs discussed common concerns and explored opportunities to increase regional cooperation, officials said.
