7TH AIRMAN-TO-AIRMAN STAFF TALKS STRENGTHEN SLAF-PACAF COLLABORATION ON INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY AND INTEROPERABILITY
5:06pm on Thursday 12th September 2024
The 7th Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks (A2AST) between the SLAF and the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) were held from 10 to 12 September 2024 at Air Force Headquarters. The SLAF delegation was led by Director General Planning of the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal Bandhu Edirisinghe, while the PACAF delegation was headed by the Director of Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements, Brigadier General Brian S. Laidlaw. A 14-member team represented PACAF, including key figures such as the Deputy Commander of the 120th Airlift Wing and the Commander of the 120th Maintenance Group of the Montana Air National Guard alongside other officers. The SLAF delegation included Director General General Engineering, Director General Logistics and representatives from each directorate.
A2AST serves as a platform for the SLAF and PACAF to discuss mutual interests and address regional concerns in the Indo-Pacific. The discussions focused on developing future engagement strategies, with an emphasis on subject matter expert exchanges and humanitarian assistance exercises in collaboration with Indo-Pacific allies and partners. These talks are pivotal in developing and strengthening the relationship between the two air forces, ensuring renewed dynamism and alignment in achieving shared goals.
During the meetings, both delegations emphasized enhancing regional security, expanding training opportunities and conducting joint exercises aimed at improving interoperability.
Air Vice Marshal Edirisinghe expressed his gratitude for PACAF's continued support and highlighted the importance of further enhancing SLAF’s capabilities, particularly in the areas of Maritime Domain Awareness, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Cyber Security.
A2AST serves as a platform for the SLAF and PACAF to discuss mutual interests and address regional concerns in the Indo-Pacific. The discussions focused on developing future engagement strategies, with an emphasis on subject matter expert exchanges and humanitarian assistance exercises in collaboration with Indo-Pacific allies and partners. These talks are pivotal in developing and strengthening the relationship between the two air forces, ensuring renewed dynamism and alignment in achieving shared goals.
During the meetings, both delegations emphasized enhancing regional security, expanding training opportunities and conducting joint exercises aimed at improving interoperability.
Air Vice Marshal Edirisinghe expressed his gratitude for PACAF's continued support and highlighted the importance of further enhancing SLAF’s capabilities, particularly in the areas of Maritime Domain Awareness, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Cyber Security.
Brigadier General Laidlaw emphasized the significance of such dialogues in deepening the partnership between the two nations and ensuring the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
After the discussions, the PACAF delegation made a visit to No. 2 Squadron and the Aircraft Engineering Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake today (12 September 2024) where they gained insights into the operational capabilities of these formations.
The 7th A2AST concluded successfully, providing both air forces with a valuable platform for information exchange among key decision-makers, further strengthening ties and paving the way for continued collaboration to ensure interoperability in the years to come.
After the discussions, the PACAF delegation made a visit to No. 2 Squadron and the Aircraft Engineering Wing at SLAF Base Katunayake today (12 September 2024) where they gained insights into the operational capabilities of these formations.
The 7th A2AST concluded successfully, providing both air forces with a valuable platform for information exchange among key decision-makers, further strengthening ties and paving the way for continued collaboration to ensure interoperability in the years to come.
