Asia-Pacific nations meet to discuss peace operations

  • Published
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) --  U.S. servicemembers will join representatives from other nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region in Singapore July 19 through 23 to discuss the use of air forces in support of peace operations.

The talks are part of the 2010 Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium, co-hosted this year by Singapore and the U.S. Air Force. The symposium encourages relationship building and enhances cooperation among the air forces of Pacific nations.

This year's symposium theme, "The Role of Airpower in Peace Support Operations," aims to help participants better understand how Air Forces can support peace-keeping missions in the region.

"The (Republic of Singapore air force) participates in a wide spectrum of peace support and humanitarian operations around the world," said Brig. Gen. Kwek Kok Kwong, the Air Defence Operations Command commander from the Singapore air force and co-host of the event, said. "This symposium is an excellent forum for the RSAF to share the (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) lessons, the peace support operations in Iraq and the Gulf of Aden, as we prepare for our first (unmanned aerial vehicle) deployment in Afghanistan."

Additionally, the senior enlisted leadership conference, the largest Air Force multi-national enlisted conference, will be held in conjunction with the PACRIM Airpower Symposium. The conference was first held in 2008 and is designed to enhance the professionalism of the different air force enlisted corps in the region.

Lt. Gen. Herbert J. Carlisle, the 13th Air Force commander, will lead the U.S. delegation at Singapore. The 13th Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, leads the U.S. planning and execution of the PACRIM Airpower Symposium and senior enlisted leadership conference.

"The U.S. Air Force looks forward to these events every year, and our 2010 editions are no exception," General Carlisle said. "We thank the government of Singapore for inviting us to their country as co-host, and all the participants for joining us in a spirit of partnership."