Global Strike Command officials build partnership with French

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Chris Karns
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --  The French Strategic Air Forces' top officer, Lt. Gen. Paul Fouilland, visited the Air Force Global Strike Command here Nov. 14 through 18 as part of a continuing dialogue between the two nations' strategic air forces.

The Global Strike Command commander, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, toured French air bases in July to inaugurate what is intended to be a regular series of exchange visits.

"In all of our meetings with our French counterparts, I've been very impressed with their professionalism, technical expertise and absolute dedication to their deterrence mission," General Klotz said. "We have a lot in common and can learn a great deal from each other on the best ways to organize, train and equip the most powerful weapons in our respective air forces."

"I've been very impressed by the motivation and skills of all the (Global Strike Airmen)," General Fouilland said. "We share the same values. Like you, we have no other choice but to succeed in this mission. That is why we train all of our people very hard."

General Fouilland and his delegation toured a B-2 Spirit and a B-52 Stratofortress here, met with weapons system experts, and attended several Global Strike Challenge competition events.

Four members of the French delegation -- a company grade officer and three field grade officers who serve in operational units in France -- had an opportunity to plan and fly a B-52 mission with American aircrews.

"It's especially important to start developing a close working relationship with allied officers early in a career and not wait until you're a senior commander," said General Klotz. "That's a defining feature of the exchange program we're pursuing."

General Fouilland also spoke during nthe inaugural Global Strike Command Technology and Innovation Symposium at the Shreveport Convention Center.

"The imagination of a potential aggressor is boundless when it comes to exploiting the vulnerabilities of Western societies," General Fouilland said during his symposium remarks. In that light, the general stressed the importance of being prepared for threats common to both nations, including the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Most of the French team then traveled Nov. 18 through 20 to the ICBM wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., where they met with 90th Missile Wing officials, received a mission orientation and visited a missile alert facility. Cultural orientation included a chance to ride horses and sample some of the local foods.

The visit and meetings were designed to develop mutual understanding and partnering opportunities, officials said.

"This has been a privilege to see just how important this mission is to you," said French Maj. Gen. Gratien Maire, the French Defense Attaché to the U.S. "We have been very impressed by your professionalism and dedication. This is a strong community of values and our nations rely on you. This is where our community comes together."

(Megan Meyer contributed to this article)