News United States Air Force
 DAF leaders join Royal Air Force at Royal International Air Tattoo 2023Published July 18, 2023
                        
                        
                        Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
                **RAF FAIRFORD, United Kingdom (AFNS) --**
                Department of the Air Force leaders joined the Royal Air Force and participants from more than 20 other nations for the Royal International Air Tattoo, July 14-16.U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., right, meets with Lt. Gen. André Steur, Royal Netherlands Air Force commander, during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, July 14, 2023. Brown attended RIAT to engage with air and space chiefs from other nations and demonstrate the Department of the Air Force’s commitment to its allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason W. Cochran)U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., right, meets with Lt. Gen. André Steur, Royal Netherlands Air Force commander, during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, July 14, 2023. Brown attended RIAT to engage with air and space chiefs from other nations and demonstrate the Department of the Air Force’s commitment to its allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason W. Cochran)
            
            
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RIAT, hosted annually in July, usually at RAF Fairford, is heralded as the largest airshow in the world, typically attracting more than 150,000 spectators over the course of a weekend.

Throughout the event, Secretary of the Air Force **Frank Kendall**, Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.**, and Chief of Space Operations **Gen. Chance Saltzman** met with U.S. and international Airmen and Guardians attending the event, conducted bilateral meetings with air and space chief counterparts and held various meetings with industry partners.

Participating in the annual airshow enables DAF leaders to engage face-to-face with allies and partners demonstrating the strength of the air and space forces’ global relationships and express appreciation for the DAF’s bilateral relationship with the RAF.Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman delivers keynote remarks at the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference in London, July 13, 2023. Saltzman addressed an international audience of air and space chiefs and outlined his working theory of success entitled “Competitive Endurance.” He also described how the Space Force and its allies and partners can collectively advance a future where space is safe, secure, stable and sustainable. (Royal Air Force courtesy photo)Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman delivers keynote remarks at the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference in London, July 13, 2023. Saltzman addressed an international audience of air and space chiefs and outlined his working theory of success entitled “Competitive Endurance.” He also described how the Space Force and its allies and partners can collectively advance a future where space is safe, secure, stable and sustainable. (Royal Air Force courtesy photo)
            
            
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    Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall shakes hands with 352nd Special Operations Wing personnel at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, July 13, 2023.Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall shakes hands with 352nd Special Operations Wing personnel at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, July 13, 2023. Kendall coined the service members for being outstanding individuals within their respective units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Campbell)
            
            
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    Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman meets with Royal Air Force Air and Space Warfare Centre Commandant Air Cdre Blythe Crawford at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, England, July 14, 2023. Saltzman and Crawford discussed opportunities for the Space Force and ASWC to partner to build resilient, ready, and combat-credible forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Jeremy McGuffin)Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman meets with Royal Air Force Air and Space Warfare Centre Commandant Air Cdre Blythe Crawford at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, July 14, 2023. Saltzman and Crawford discussed opportunities for the Space Force and ASWC to partner to build resilient, ready, and combat-credible forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy McGuffin)
            
            
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 “Since the inception of the U.S. Air Force, we have always had a strong partnership with the Royal Air Force,” Kendall said. “Over the span of history, that bond now includes our Space Force. RIAT provides a key moment of fellowship and demonstrates our unity with other allies and partners who share our values and appreciate the strength of air and space power.”

While at RIAT, Brown presented a U.S. Legion of Merit medal to his outgoing RAF counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston, for exceptionally meritorious conduct as RAF chief of the Air Staff.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., left, shakes hands with former Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, July 15, 2023. Brown presented the Legion of Merit award to Wigston, which is presented for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason W. Cochran)U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. shakes hands with former Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, July 15, 2023. Brown presented the Legion of Merit award to Wigston, which is presented for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason W. Cochran)
            
            
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“As air chiefs, we signed a Shared Vision Statement that laid the groundwork for our forces to become integrated by design, and I am proud to say our partnership today is firmer than ever. His outstanding leadership as chief of Air Staff was instrumental in deepening and expanding ties between our air forces, and I cannot thank him enough for all the work he has done for both of our nations.”

The U.S Air Force sent numerous assets, including the **KC-135 Stratotanker** and **KC-46A Pegasus**, in keeping with RIAT 2023’s theme, “SKYTANKER,” which recognizes the 100th anniversary of aerial refueling.

“RIAT is always a fantastic opportunity to showcase our Airmen, aircraft, and weapons systems,” Brown said. “This year is particularly significant as we recognize a century of achievement in aerial refueling and the benefits it has provided to allied airpower, an increasingly important capability in a changing world. I thank our friends in the RAF for continuing to host this annual celebration of Airpower.”

Saltzman, who arrived in the UK earlier in the week to provide keynote remarks at the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference in London and participate in various multilateral engagements, seized the opportunity to encourage continued cooperation, coordination, and opportunities for interoperability with allies and partners at RIAT.

“I am extremely proud to be a part of this community of like-minded nations,” Saltzman said. “I very much look forward to continuing to build on our substantial relationships and ensure space operations are effectively integrated into our collective defense.”

While expressing his appreciation for the Space Force’s RAF counterparts, Saltzman emphasized that mutually beneficial partnerships will remain an unmatched asymmetric advantage as the U.S. and its allies work to keep space safe, secure, stable, and sustainable.LR 



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