Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Allvin and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi began a week-long tour of the U.S. Pacific Air Force's area of responsibility arriving here today following a brief stop at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
The service's top leadership team is traveling to engage directly with critical allies and partners in the region to strengthen security and stability, as well as hear from PACAF Airmen who are advancing the service's reoptimization efforts in the pacing theater.
"I look forward to meeting firsthand with key allies and partners to advance our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific," Allvin said. "By engaging directly with one another, we will bolster deterrence and interoperability now and into the future. Similarly, I am excited to speak face-to-face with the Airmen who are making our force posture in the Indo-Pacific more mobile, distributed, resilient and lethal."
Allvin and Flosi will participate in an international Air Force Forum hosted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in Tokyo from Oct. 14-16. The event includes an Indo-Pacific Air Chiefs Conference where Allvin will speak on a panel addressing senior leaders from 20 nations on Oct. 15. Allvin is also scheduled to participate in bilateral and trilateral meetings with select allies and partners.
While at Andersen Air Force Base, Allvin and Flosi received updates from 36th Wing Airmen on how the team is bolstering its ability to project power, expand combat capability, and strengthen partnerships.
"American airpower delivers a firm and visible message that shapes any security environment," Allvin said. "Team Andersen embodies that by demonstrating our credible capabilities and resolve daily. If the security environment shifts, these Airmen are ready."
Flosi also gave his perspective.
"Our Airmen stationed in Guam are excelling under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Palenske and Command Chief Master Sgt. Tim Hodgin. This great team is showing our allies what a disciplined and well-organized unit, committed to being a trusted, reliable partner known for upholding standards, discipline, and integrity in all of our activities, is capable of," Flosi said. "Their dedication reinforces our security posture while strengthening alliances, ensuring we collaborate to uphold stability in the region...this is where America's day begins!"
Andersen is a forward-based logistics center for contingency forces operating in the region and hosts massive fuel and munition storage facilities. It is more than just a staging area, however.
"Guam is not only a strategic outpost in the Western Pacific - it is a piece of our homeland," Allvin said. "The Airmen stationed here are critical to maintaining deterrence and stability in the region."
Andersen also features the Air Force's largest conventional War Reserve Materiel stockpile, which Allvin and Flosi inspected with 36th Wing leadership.
"The logistics capabilities of Andersen will keep U.S. and joint airpower in the fight, showcasing our deterrence efforts and ability to protect the Indo-Pacific," said Brig. Gen. Thomas Palenske, 36th Wing commander.
Palenske also updated Allvin and Flosi on the wing's reoptimization progress.
"Each individual Airman from Team Andersen understands the work they need to do when it comes to executing the pacing Operation Plan," Palenske said. "This understanding has allowed us to reoptimize our training and hone our readiness for Great Power Competition."
Allvin and Flosi's trip includes additional stops in the region and will continue through Oct. 18.
