..:: India Strategic ::. Air Force: Pacific Air Forces Commander Visits India

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Editorial

Pacific Air Forces Commander Visits India

Published: December 2015

New Delhi. Gen Lori J Robinson, Pacific Air Forces Commander, arrived in India December 4 to meet with Indian defence officials and discuss mutual cooperation during the first PACAF commander's visit to the nation since 2011.

Robinson is visiting at the invitation of Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, India's senior ranking military officer, for a series of base visits, cultural exchanges and military-to-military engagements throughout India.

"I'm truly grateful to be invited to see the Indian Air Force up close and learn more about their mission," Robinson said. "We have much to learn from one another, and I'm sure this trip will provide a great opportunity to expand our developing partnership."

This trip is designed to further enhance military ties between the US and India at a key time in the US Government's strategic rebalance in the Pacific.

"I believe the relationship between India and the United States can be one of the defining partnerships of this century," said US President Barack Obama during his January visit to New Delhi.

Strengthening ties between US and Indian forces are a key focus area for US Pacific Command. As PACOM's air component, PACAF seeks to improve compatibility between the US and Indian Air Forces in order to better response to regional crises.

"We place a high value on the PACAF-IAF relationship and desire to continue to grow the relationship with routine flying exercises and other engagements," Robinson said. "Building and maintaining an active and reliable USAF-IAF relationship is a PACAF priority."

Last spring, US and Indian Airmen cooperated with other regional partners to provide aid to Nepal after a series of earthquakes. During this effort, the IAF used six C-17 Globemaster IIIs and five C-130 Hercules aircraft among other airlift assets to bring service members and supplies into Nepal.

Shortly after Nepal relief efforts, Gen Mark A Welsh III, US Air Force Chief of Staff, hosted Air Chief Raha for a CSAF Counterpart Visit in order to build important bilateral relationships between the USAF and IAF.

In 2016, IAF is scheduled to participate in RED FLAG-Alaska, providing yet another avenue for engagement and partnership.