News United States Air Force
 AFCENT leads US military presence alongside partners during Bahrain International Airshow 2022Published Nov. 15, 2022
                        
                        By Capt. Kayshel Trudell
                        
                        
                        Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)
                **SAKHIR AIRBASE, Bahrain (AFNS) --**
                **U.S. Central Command**participated in the 2022 Bahrain International Airshow, or BIAS22, alongside coalition and partner nations at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain, Nov. 9-11.U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force service members pose for a photo during the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain Nov. 11, 2022. The airshow showcased how U.S. forces work together with our partner nations and reassure our coalition and regional partners of our continued commitment to the security and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kayshel Trudell)U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force service members pose for a photo during the 2022 Bahrain International Airshow at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain, Nov. 11, 2022. The airshow showcased how U.S. forces work with partner nations and reassure our coalition and regional partners of the United States’ continued commitment to the security and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kayshel Trudell)
            
            
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“Our participation in theBIAS22 builds upon our strong relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain and enhances our relationships with other allies and partners in the region,” said **Maj. Gen. David Harris**, deputy commander,**Ninth Air Force**(Air Forces Central), anddeputy combined forces air component commander, CENTCOM.
Since the inception of the BIAS in 2010, U.S. military support and participation has continued to build and enhance enduring relationships in the region.During BIAS22, Harris met with the Royal Bahrain air force Deputy Commander, Maj. Gen. Munther Al Khalifa, Israel’s air force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. EyalGrinboim and the Pakistani air force Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marchal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, for key leader engagements. 

“Events like these are just one way U.S. forces work together with our partner nations and demonstrate continued commitment to the security and stability of this region,.” Harris said.The three-day airshow includes static aircraft on display and aerial demonstrations by**U.S. Air Force**and**U.S. Navy** pilots, highlighting the wide range of capabilities inherent in U.S. military aviation. Performances by the AFCENT also took place each day of the BIAS22.U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Harris, Deputy Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), visits with the Pacific Air Forces’ F-16 demonstration team during the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain Nov. 9, 2022. The airshow is a biennial, three-day aviation and aerospace industry event that provides the opportunity to showcase the interoperability of U.S. and partner nation aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jermaine Ayers)U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Harris, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) deputy commander, visits with the Pacific Air Forces’ F-16 demonstration team during the 2022 Bahrain International Airshow, at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain Nov. 9, 2022. The airshow is a biennial, three-day aviation and aerospace industry event that provides the opportunity to showcase the interoperability of U.S. and partner nation aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jermaine Ayers)
            
            
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    Patrons visit the U.S. aircraft static display pad during the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), at Sakhir Airbase, Nov. 10, 2022.  U.S. participation in BIAS cultivates partnerships and capabilities with military members from regional partner nations, and ensures we share a common framework with industry professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jermaine Ayers)Patrons visit the U.S. aircraft static display pad during the 2022 Bahrain International Airshow, at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain, Nov. 10, 2022. U.S. participation in BIAS22 cultivates partnerships and capabilities with military members from regional partner nations, and ensures the nations share a common framework with industry professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jermaine Ayers)
            
            
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    U.S. Air Force Maj. Breaux Powell, Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), maintenance boss, answers questions from patrons during BIAS at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain Nov. 11, 2022. The airshow showcased how U.S. forces work together with our partner nations and reassure our coalition and regional partners of our continued commitment to the security and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kayshel Trudell)U.S. Air Force Maj. Breaux Powell, 2022 Bahrain International Airshow, maintenance boss, answers questions from patrons during BIAS22 at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain, Nov. 11, 2022. The airshow showcased how U.S. forces work with partner nations and reassure coalition and regional partners of the United States’ continued commitment to the security and stability of the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kayshel Trudell)
            
            
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                Download Hi-Res Participating aircraft include U.S. Air Force**F-16****FightingFalcon**from the77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadronflown by the**Pacific Air Forces Demonstration Team**,**F-15E Strike Eagle**from the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron,**C-130J Super Hercules**from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing,E-11 aircraft from the 378th AEW and U.S. Navy **MH-53 Sea Dragon**and**P-8 Poseidon**from Bahrain, plus a**U.S. Army**High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from Alpha Battery,and 2nd Battalion 130th Field Artillery Regiment currently stationed in Camp Arifjan Kuwait.“Our military relationship with the Bahrain Defense Force goes back more than 50 years, before the formation ofUSCENTCOM,” said **Gen. Michael Kurilla**,USCENTCOM commander, during an October visit to Manama. “Given the increasing complexity of regional threats, the advances in unmanned aerial systems and ballistic missile capability, and the continued threat of terror groups, this relationship is more important now than ever. USCENTCOM must rely on our partners in the region to solve the region’s complex problems. We are firmly committed to our partnership with the Bahrain Defense Force; this relationship is ironclad.”

The**Office of the Secretary of Defense**approved participation in the event to advance and strengthen U.S. defense ties with its allies and partners in the Middle East. Roughly 100 U.S. military and civilian personnel supported BIAS22.U.S. Central Command 



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