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Readout of US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s travel to Colombia

  • Published
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. traveled to Colombia Oct. 10-11 to further strengthen the longstanding and vital U.S.-Colombia defense relationship.

Brown’s itinerary included a meeting with Colombian air force Commander Maj. Gen. Luis Carlos Córdoba Avendaño and engagements at the Military Transport Air Command and Air Force Combat Air Command No. 1.

Throughout the visit, Brown emphasized the value the U.S. places on the bilateral strategic partnership and thanked Colombia for its leadership as a regional security exporter.

They agreed on the tangible benefits that U.S-Colombia security cooperation delivers to the Colombian people, the U.S. and the region.

Brown recognized Colombia’s active and important role in the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces and expressed gratitude that Colombia will host SICOFAA’s annual culminating event, the Conference of American Air Chiefs, in 2023.

Brown additionally reaffirmed the U.S. Air Force commitment to supporting Colombia’s defense modernization efforts, discussing air superiority and radar capabilities, and highlighting an upcoming delivery of additional C-130H Hercules transport aircraft under the Excess Defense Articles.

The two leaders further discussed activities such as exercises, personnel exchanges, and education and training, which represent some of the most straightforward and cost-effective means to strengthen cooperation and support shared objectives.

Finally, Brown conveyed that he looked forward to Colombian air force participation in the next iteration of exercise Red Flag-Rescue, humanitarian assistance exercises such as Resolute Sentinel, and potentially other exercises hosted by the U.S. Air Force. He also reiterated the U.S. Air Force’s continued commitment to participation in Colombia’s exercise Relampago through the South Carolina Air National Guard, which is paired with Colombia through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

Earlier, Brown met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Francisco L. Palmieri and other members of the U.S. Embassy staff in Bogota.