Partner Air Chiefs and representatives from 18 NATO nations including Mongolia assembled via video teleconference for the 2022 Partner Air Chiefs’ Conference chaired by General James B. Hecker, Commander Allied Air Command.

NATO cooperates with a range of Partner nations and they contribute to several of its core activities, from shaping policy to developing interoperability and managing crises. Partnership programmes also assists in the development of national defence and security institutions and forces.

“Exchanges between Allied Air Command leaders and Partner Air Chiefs during these events gives us the ability to share knowledge and experiences to build solid relationships within the air domain,” said General James Hecker, Commander Allied Air Command.

The core objectives of conference are a look into the outcomes of the Madrid Summit 2022 with a particular focus on its impact for Partner activities within NATO, an update of the Ukrainian crisis with a presentation from Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukraine Air Force, and how it has influenced Allied air activities, and an overview of Allied Air Commands current partnership activities discussing areas that could be increased or open to new Partners in the future.

Mr. Rob Smith, a Senior Intelligence Analyst talked about the changing strategic environment noting NATO faces challenges in multiple directions. While General Shunji Izutsu of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force spoke about NATO cooperation from the Indo-Pacific perspective.

Major General Luis Carlos Cordoba, Commander of the Columbian Air Force, delivered a presentation on the employment and usage of aerospace capabilities for Amazon protection, giving an understanding the role of Columbian Air Force in the protection of the environment in combating the deforestation.

Additional topics included the Space domain and education and training opportunities were discussed among the participants.