News United States Air Force
 Brown emphasizes imperative to modernize with allies in first Europe trip as CSAFPublished July 19, 2021
                        
                        
                        Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
                **ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --**
                Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.** visited with European counterparts in France and virtually at the annual Global Air Chiefs’ Conference to emphasize the U.S. Air Force as a committed partner toward collective defense and to introduce allies to his strategic vision of **Accelerate Change or Lose**.
The multi-day trip began in France where he met with his French air and space force counterpart, Gen. Philippe Lavigne.
Brown took the opportunity to discuss the value of airpower not just for U.S. national security interests, but as a strategic and critical partner in the European theater.52nd Fighter Wing Airmen brief U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr. on Viper kit capabilities July 16, 2020, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.Airmen assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing brief Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. on Viper kit capabilities July 16, 2020, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Brown serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melody W. Howley)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    Group of Airmen gathered with the CSAF.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., center, poses for a photo with security forces personnel during a visit to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 15, 2021. Brown took the time to meet with Airmen and get a first-hand look at Ramstein AB’s unique capabilities after delivering a message of collective defense and airpower to allies and partners at the inaugural Chief of the Air Staff’s Global Air Chiefs’ Conference. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John R. Wright)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr. (right) presents a challenge coin to U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kyle Weik, 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group chief inspector of quality assurance, July 16, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.Tech. Sgt. Kyle Weik, 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group chief inspector of quality assurance, accepts a challenge coin from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., July 16, 2021, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. During his visit to Spangdahlem AB, Brown learned from and listened to Airmen, experiencing the installation’s mission firsthand, and shared his vision of accelerating change and his priority of building trusted allies and partnerships within the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

“Future warfare will be fought in all domains, and we will be at risk if we don’t accelerate change,” Brown explained. “We must continue to engage with our allies and partners finding opportunities to increase interoperability between the services. We can only be successful if we continue to communicate with one another.”
In order to address strategic competition, Brown expressed the need for change to meet the evolving security picture. Introducing his European counterparts and allies to his Accelerate Change or Lose strategic vision was an important part of his time at the GACC.
“Without change, we risk losing our competitive advantage to win in a highly contested environment,” Brown said. “We risk losing our credibility with our joint teammates, allies and partners, and ultimately our ability to defend our national interests.”
Brown’s priority of staying ahead of strategic competitors and emphasis on interoperability is further supported by in-theatre Air Force leadership.
“Continuing to build trust and confidence among our allies and partners is at the center of every action our team takes across the theater,” said **Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian**, **U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa** commander. “Prioritizing high-level integration and interoperability ensures our warfighters are always ready to help preserve the security and stability of Europe.”"Future warfare will be fought in all domains, and we will be at risk if we don’t accelerate change."Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.
Brown concluded his trip by **visiting Airmen** at **Ramstein** and **Spangdahlem** Air Bases in Germany, taking the time to answer questions during an all-call and small group engagements during the trip. The topics addressed included the use-or-lose leave policy and virtual patient care in the wake of the **COVID-19** pandemic.
“I always keep in mind that our Airmen and their families have and continue to make incredible sacrifices as they serve,” Brown said. “I also realize they already have many of the innovative solutions we look for to drive modernization, and so my focus is ensuring we create an Air Force culture that gives them the access to opportunity, but also helps them solve complex issues impacting their everyday lives.”AFWN 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



Gen. CQ Brown Jr 



Global Air Chiefs’ Conference 



Europe 



tour 



USAFE-AFAFRICA 



Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian 



Distinguished Visitor 



ACOL 



empowered Airmen 



Gen. Philippe Lavigne