Executive Observer Program Offers Valuable Insight to PACAF Leaders

15 June 2016

From Staff Sgt. Wes Wright

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Maj. Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces chief of staff, visited Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson June 9 to 12 as part of RED FLAG-Alaska's Executive Observer Program.

During the visit, Schneider and 13 other leaders from 12 different nations' air forces participated in presentations and discussions how the U.S. Air Force integrates and synchronizes service capabilities, resources and effects to meet national challenges. All participants focused on learning each respective air forces operational challenges, as well as developing potential way-ahead for more efficient interoperability.

The framework for this iteration of the EOP is set against RF-A 16-2, a PACAF commander-directed field training exercise for U.S. and international forces, which provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large-force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

"There are a number of challenges in the world today: weapons of mass destruction proliferation, aggressive state actors, terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," Schneider said. "Regardless of the size of the air force, there is a lot of common ground and common challenges throughout the international community.

"What the EOP allows us to do is to figure out ways to be more effective and efficient together," he added."

Schneider said it is critical each nation's forces understand how the others think and operate. In a manner of speaking, everyone needs to speak a common language.

"Our pacific partners' various roles are essential to security and stability in the pacific region, Schneider said. "The challenges we all face are such that no nation is going to go at it alone. Whether it's a disaster relief type of contingency or all the way at the other end of the spectrum -- conflict."

Schneider explained one of the main goals of the EOP is to help establish and maintain the relationships amongst people, because at the end of the day, it takes people coming together to accomplish the mission.

"Partnerships don't happen by accident," Schneider said. "Partnerships happen through interaction. Whether it be the young Airman or staff sergeant out there as a subject matter expert exchanging information in a country, or whether it's a unit level deployment like RED FLAG, those relationships take time to mature. It takes work to build on those. When crisis happens, those partnerships are what we rely on to get the mission done."

PACAF's mission is to deliver rapid and precise air, space and cyberspace capabilities to protect and defend the United States, its territories allies and partners; provide integrated air and missile warning and defense; promote interoperability throughout the Pacific area of responsibility; maintain strategic access and freedom of movement across all domains; and posture to respond across the full spectrum of military contingencies in order to restore regional security.

Schneider said he is proud of the commitment to excellence he sees in PACAF's Airmen as they work to fulfill their part of the mission.

"We're doing exceptionally well," Schneider said. "You see Airmen at very junior levels who have technical expertise, knowledge, skill sets and ultimately intellect that is tremendously advanced. They're thinking through problems that are far more complex than those facing the Air Force of yesteryear. It's truly impressive."

The general encouraged JBER's Airmen to continue to strive for excellence and highlighted the importance of their role in PACAF's area of responsibility.

"We have a strategic triangle in PACAF: Alaska, Hawaii and Guam," Schneider said. "Operationally and strategically, JBER is tremendously important because of its location and ability to project power not only in the region but around the world.

"The role the Airmen here play is vital to stability and security in the pacific region," he continued.