Air Force senior leader visits Singapore air show

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cohen Young
  • Defense Media Activity-Hawaii
CHANGI, Singapore (AFNS) --  The undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs visited the Singapore Airshow 2010 Feb. 7 here.

Undersecretary Bruce Lemkin said the United States' participation along with 40 other countries in this year's air and trade show is important because it helps maintain partnerships with countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

"Our relationships with foreign air forces and foreign countries is absolutely critical for us to carry out our mission and we can't do this alone -- we need friends and partners to help out," Mr. Lemkin said.

Singapore Airshow 2010 is the largest in Asia and considered to be among the top three in the world. It serves two functions: one as a trade show and the other as an air show. The show attracts leaders from many countries including air chiefs as well as aircraft enthusiasts to a global arena where the newest in aviation technology is showcased. It also offers participants the opportunity to meet leaders in military and civil aviation, as well as to exchange thought-innovations with partners in the Asia-Pacific Region.

"It is an opportunity for us, through our great U.S. Air Force presence at this air show, to show our support for Singapore, which is a really strong partner with the United States and the United States Air Force," Mr. Lemkin said.

At Singapore Airshow 2010, the U.S. military had a number of aircraft and equipment on display including two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea, one C-130J Hercules from the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., one KC-135 Stratotanker from the 18th Wing at Kadena AB, Japan, two F-15E Strike Eagles currently deployed to Kunsan AB, South Korea, and one P-3C Orion from Patrol Squadron Four Seven at Kadena AB. Additionally, one B-52 Stratofortress currently deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, and one C-17 Globemaster III from the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, are scheduled to conduct flyovers at the event.

Mr. Lemkin, who is responsible for building air force-to-air force relationships around the world, said meeting with senior military and aviation leaders in one location makes his job much easier.

"For me, it is an opportunity to not only meet our Singaporean counterparts and operators, but also with air chiefs and defense ministers that come from around the world," he said. "In the three days at the air show, I can do the equivalent of three months of travel."

Mr. Lemkin understands the importance of military aircraft and equipment but expressed the importance of the people who maintain and operate them.

"Yes our aircraft are impressive, but our Airmen are even more impressive," he said. "(During this air show,) we get to show lots of other folks our great Airmen."

The air show was open to the public Feb. 6 and 7. Officials from 13th Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, led the U.S. military participation in Singapore Airshow 2010.