US, Philippines review effectiveness of air engagements

MANILA, Philippines — The United States and the Philippines held annual talks to review the effectiveness of all engagements, refine engagement priorities over the next years and strengthen interoperability between the two air forces.

The US Indo-Pacific Command said Wednesday that the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Guam and Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen and Hawaii Army National Guard members met with Airmen from the Philippine Air Force for the 10th iteration of Airman-to-Airman (A2A) Talks between the two countries in Hawaii from Feb. 15-18.

The talks provide an avenue to develop interoperability, foster military-to-military relations and improve bilateral cooperation.

“We appreciate the Philippine Air Force’s ability to support this event as it is critical to advancing our ability to work together and achieve common objectives,” said US Air Force Maj. Gen. David Burgy, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, PACAF.

The US and partner nation air forces conduct these engagements to plan for upcoming bilateral activities and establish partner goals.

“In this current volatile security environment, interoperability is becoming more and more important,” said Philippine Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Parreño, chief of air staff, Philippine Air Force.

“Despite our cultural differences and other various challenges for our nations’ militaries, it is relevant that our alliance shall continue to grow and be more effective. May this engagement serve as a venue to nourish long-standing friendship and cooperation with the Philippine Air Force and Pacific Air Forces,” he said.

The two air forces held several discussions about an array of topics in order to develop a better understanding of the needs of the two countries. Working group sessions consisted of logistics, plans and policy, training and operations, and cybersecurity.

“It’s important because these engagements clearly demonstrate the air component support to the mutual defense treaty so that we can leave no doubt as to the steadfast nature of our alliance between our two great nations. So we want to make sure that people understand that a threat to you is a threat to us and we will be side-by-side with you,” said US Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Faurot, assistant adjutant general-air/commander, Guam Air National Guard, and assistant to commander, 11th Air Force.

Guam and Hawaii are state partners to the Philippines, through the State Partnership Program or SPP, which began in 2000. One key aspect of the SPP links a unique component of the Department of Defense–a state’s National Guard – with the armed forces or equivalent of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.

Meanwhile, the United States turned over more than P5 million ($97,000) worth of equipment to aid the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

The donation, through the US Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program, will help DTI’s Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) speed up processes and fulfill its role as the lead Philippine government agency for registering and licensing companies and establishing management systems for the trade in goods, under the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Act. Among the office equipment donated are 40 tablets, 30 computers and 30 anti-virus software packages.

“The equipment donated to the STMO office will build its capacity and will make it easier for its staff to effectively manage strategic trade controls,” said EXBS program adviser Ransom Avilla.

STMO director Luis Catibayan noted that this donation “demonstrates the trust and cooperation between the United States and the Philippines in working toward the common goal of preventing the proliferation of WMDs.”