Regional demonstrations encourage bright future

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Christina Mundy
  • 12th Air Force Public Affairs
EAGAN, Minn. (AFPN) --  The Air Force along with 15 countries from Central America, South America and the Caribbean came together to participate in a Regional Coordination Center demonstration July 31 through Aug. 2 in Eagan, Minn.

With joint efforts from the U.S. Southern Command, Air Forces Southern, and Lockheed Martin, the RCC demonstration was coordinated to showcase a way ahead for airspace, and air traffic management cooperation between the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.

"We hope this demonstration and subsequent discussions will help chart a path to enhanced regional cooperation," said Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip, commander of 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern. "Candid discussions and an open exchange of ideas are essential to ensure we lay out a comprehensive plan."

The RCC concept will enhance the safety, security and coordination of air traffic communications, while at the same time, increasing the effectiveness of the current system while minimizing cost. Countries will have the ability to share resources while all working off of a common operation picture.

The demonstration is not solely focused on a military audience. Civilian aviation also plays a big roll in the RCC concept.

"Both civilian and military have the same ultimate goal, to improve airspace management and security cooperation," said Jim Knoll from AFSOUTH. "Having them work side-by-side will help achieve that objective."

The RCC concept falls under an overarching program called, Regional Airspace Integration. RASI is SOUTHCOM's parent program to help create an integrated and cooperative multinational/multiagency air domain in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"RASI is an umbrella program, and the RCC will be the first step in implementing a regulated coordination concept by establishing an ability for countries and agencies to work together," Mr. Knoll said.

The demonstration wrapped up with regional discussions between the 15 countries to share final concerns and questions.

"We would like to get the foreign militaries thoughts on how RCC can meet all our needs in the future," said Col. Jim Barr, the deputy director of policy and strategy for SOUTHCOM.

The participating countries included the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.

"Having the opportunity to host these great countries here in the United States has been a true honor, and I hope that there are many opportunities in the future to work together again with our friends in Latin America and the Caribbean," Colonel Barr said. "Working together we can address our common challenges."

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