Line of Effort: Allies and Partners

Published Dec. 9, 2023
Airman Magazine

"We're seamlessly integrating our deterrence efforts to make a basic truth crystal clear to any potential foe. That truth is that the cost of aggression against the United States or our allies and partners far outweigh any conceivable gains. Integrated deterrence isn't just about steps that we take on our own. It also means working even more closely with our unparalleled network of allies and partners to deter aggression in region after region."

-Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III

01:01

Department of Defense and Department of the Air Force leadership describe a shift in the national security environment towards great power competition during the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2023 Air, Space, and Cyber Symposium Sept. 11-13, 2023, National Harbor, Maryland.

In 2022, the Department of Defense released the public versions the National Defense Strategy (NDS), the Nuclear Posture Review and the Missile Defense Review together for the first time. This was also the first time both classified and unclassified versions of the three strategic documents were developed in conjunction with one another.

The republished 2022 NDS emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships with our allies and partners around the globe. Through multi-national training exercises the United States Air Force ensures interoperability with our allies and partners which has a direct impact on the global security environment and the great power competition.

Indo-Pacific

Europe

Middle East

Africa

Latin America

Photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young

U.S. Air Force pilots from the 25th Fighter Squadron greet South Korea air force pilots assigned to the 102nd FS after completing exercise Buddy Squadron 23-2 at Osan Air Base, South Korea, March 8, 2023. The exercise is a recurring, pre-planned training that provides air and ground operations the ability to improve readiness and train joint interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane R. Young)

Download

Details

Pacific Air Forces Command coordinates with other service components, allies, and partners, to provide United States Indo-Pacific Command with continuous unrivaled air, space, and cyberspace capabilities to ensure regional stability and security. They accomplish this through codified agreements like the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) enhanced security partnership, the on-going alliance with Japan and the 70-year alliance with the Republic of Korea.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force and U.S. Air Force pararescuemen carry a simulated search and rescue victim to safety during an exercise, Jan. 19, 2023, at Ukibaru Island. The annual bilateral training exercise strengthens trust and interoperability capabilities between JASDF and U.S. Air Force rescue teams. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Robert Dabbs)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Hideaki Kajiya, deputy commander of Air Support Command, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Klein, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, exchange gifts on the flightline as part of Mobility Guardian 23 at Yakumo Air Base, Japan, July 13, 2023. A multilateral endeavor, MG23 featured seven participating countries: Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States—operating approximately 70 mobility aircraft across multiple locations spanning a 3,000-mile exercise area from July 5-21. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

Australian, New Zealand, and U.S. Air Force medical teams work together in flight over Australia on a C-17 Globemaster aircraft during a combined medical interoperability aeromedical evacuation activity as part of Exercise Mobility Guardian 23. MG23 saw Air Mobility Command Airmen work with joint and combined forces, including members of the U.S. Armed Forces and its allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Amy Picard)

U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center leaders pose for a group photo with Japanese Air Self Defense Force Airmen during a site visit to Yakumo Air Base, Japan July 13, 2023, in support of Mobility Guardian 2023. A multilateral endeavor, MG23 features seven participating countries – Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States – operating approximately 70 mobility aircraft across multiple locations spanning a 3,000 mile exercise area from July 5th through July 21. Our Allies and partners are one of our greatest strengths and a key strategic advantage. MG23 is an opportunity to deepen our connections with regional Allies and partners using bold initiatives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers assigned to the 1st Airborne Brigade descend from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron over JGSDF East Fuji Maneuver Area, Japan, during Airborne 23, Jan. 31, 2023. 300 JGSDF paratroopers performed a static-line jump from Nine U.S. Air Force C-130J’s, showcasing the strategic importance of engaging in joint airborne operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

Airborne 23: Where US airlift meets Japan tactical insertion

The 374th Airlift Wing worked alongside Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members, assigned to the 1st Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army paratroopers, assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group from Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Airborne 23.

Air Marshal Rob Chipman, Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, speaks during a multilateral knowledge exchange for Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2023 alongside Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David Allvin, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 13, 2023. This year's symposium holds a special significance, not only as the largest-ever PACS with more than 20 countries scheduled to attend, but also due to the unprecedented numbers of senior enlisted leaders attending and participating. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux)

Largest-ever PACS concludes, enhancing competitive advantages for 22 nations

The four-day symposium was held to foster regional security, stability, interoperability, leadership development, knowledge exchanges, and to ensure a shared understanding of challenges throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Europe