News United States Air Force
 US, Germany, Australia air forces’ generals share airspace togetherPublished Sept. 7, 2022
                        
                        By Tech. Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike
                        
                        
                        Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
                **ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR BASE TINDAL, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia (AFNS) --**
                U.S. Air Force Gen. **Ken Wilsbach**, **Pacific Air Forces** commander, Royal Australian Air Force Air Marshal Rob Chipman, chief of RAAF, and German Air Force Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, German air force air chief, flew fighter aircraft over Australia’s Northern Territory Sept. 5, in a demonstration of friendship and cooperative leadership.US, Germany, Australia air forces’ generals share airspace togetherU.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, waves prior to departure at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 5, 2022. Wilsbach visited Australia to bolster partnerships through the Enhanced Air Cooperation Agreement. EAC increases interoperability and allow for more productive regional partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Biese)
            
            
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Wilsbach flew an **F-22 Raptor**, Gerhartz a Eurofighter, and Chipman a RAAF **EA-18G** Growler as part of a dynamic force employment demonstration designed to increase the lethality of forces in contested environments and improve interoperability among the joint, allied, and partner nation members.
"When we talk about interoperability, it's not only about platforms and systems, but also the interoperability of our Airmen," Wilsbach said. "We are talking about building trust with our allies and partners."
The desire to build upon foundational multilateral capabilities is paramount to international cooperation in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Leaders often set the example for the development of international relationships.US, Germany, Australia air forces’ generals share airspace togetherU.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, inspects an F-22 Raptor at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 5, 2022. Wilsbach visited Australia to bolster partnerships through the Enhanced Air Cooperation Agreement. EAC increases U.S. and allies combined capabilities, improving the security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Biese)
            
            
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    US, Germany, Australia air forces’ generals share airspace togetherUS, Germany, Australia air forces’ generals share airspace together
                    
                    
                    U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, puts his helmet on at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 5, 2022. Wilsbach visited Australia to bolster partnerships through the Enhanced Air Cooperation Agreement. EAC increases U.S. and allies combined capabilities, improving the security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Biese)
            
            
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    US, Germany, Australia air forces’ generals share airspace togetherU.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, runs through a preflight check in a F-22 Raptor prior to departure from Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 5, 2022. Wilsbach visited Australia to bolster partnerships through the Enhanced Air Cooperation Agreement. EAC increases interoperability and allow for more productive regional partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike)
            
            
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"I'm proud to be a fighter pilot and lead my forces from the front," Gerhartz said. "Getting to fly alongside America and our other allies makes me feel even more confident in our interoperability."
The air chiefs discussed allies and partners as an asymmetric advantage when it comes to long-term competition with adversaries that seek to undermine shared values and international norms. Through frequent exercises, leadership exchanges, and other international engagements, PACAF builds global relationships to enhance trust around the world.US, Germany, Australia air forces’ generals share airspace togetherRoyal Australian Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman, chief of the Royal Australian Air Force and German Air Force Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, chief of the German Air Force look on as U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, speaks with members of the local media during a visit to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Sept. 5, 2022. Leadership spoke on exercise Pitch Black 2022 interoperability opportunities and expressed the importance of allies and partners working together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Savannah L. Waters)
            
            
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"This is just a small demonstration among the many we make on a daily basis to show that our Airmen are dedicated, trained, and ready to deliver airpower to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," Wilsbach explained. "Adversaries that look to disrupt the security and stability in this region be warned — you will face a combined global network of allies and partners who have been training together for decades to operate seamlessly against you.”LR 



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