SEOUL, Republic of Korea -- Sixteen Indo-Asia-Pacific nations gathered here Sept. 5 through 9 to discuss multilateral cooperation during the PACRIM Airpower Symposium co-hosted by the U.S. and Republic of Korea.

The theme, “Developing Air, Space and Cyberspace Power…the Foundation of Multilateral Cooperation,” focused discussions on improving cooperation and coordination during humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, developing enlisted leadership, and enhancing the coordination of air assets during contingencies, among other topics of mutual concern.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dirk Smith, Pacific Air Forces Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations, led the U.S. delegation and co-chaired the symposium with Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Policy, Brig. Gen. Bae Soon Wook. Pacific Air Forces headquarters, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, led the U.S. planning and execution of the PACRIM Airpower Symposium and Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference.

"The peace and stability of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region is constantly at risk of being impacted by large-scale crisis that may require a coordinated multinational response,” Smith said. “By building multilateral cooperation in air, space and cyberspace with our partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, we are improving our ability to deliver a faster and more efficient response.”

The Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference, the largest multi-national air force enlisted conference in the Pacific, was held in conjunction with the PACRIM Airpower Symposium.

First held in 2008, the Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference offers a forum for regional air force senior noncommissioned officers to assemble and discuss common topics of interest and issues that affect proper force development and force management of enlisted forces.

Events like the PACRIM Airpower Symposium lay the foundation for participation by Indo-Asia-Pacific nations in other cooperative events including exercises, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations and subject matter expert exchanges and conferences.

Operation DAMAYAN in the Philippines in 2013 and Operations SAHAYOGI HAAT in Nepal in 2015 both demonstrate how bilateral training and developing strong ties through interoperability with military exercises and engagements can foster effective multilateral partnerships.