Articles

By Captain Nicole Meszaros

Jets of the United States Air Force (USAF) landed one after another on the 8 Wing Trenton airfield on June 14 as senior officers of the world's most powerful air force turned up for the semi-annual, bilateral Airmen Talks North discussions between Canada's Air Force and the USAF.

Leading the talks were General T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, and Lieutenant-General Steve Lucas, Chief of the Air Staff and Commander of Air Command. The talks are a forum for addressing pertinent Canadian and American aerospace issues and fostering professional relationships between the two air forces. As Lieutenant-General Lucas explained during a pause in the talks, the two forces have similar issues despite their difference in size.

"Generating forces, ageing fleets and supporting troops in theatre are issues we deal with daily," said Lieutenant-General Lucas. "The Airmen Talks North discussions are useful as a venue to exchange ideas about how to manage these matters and others by taking advantage of the collective experience between our two forces."

This professional development opportunity for the senior leadership of each Air Force strengthens relations between two organizations that already share strong ties.

"In terms of military relations, the Air Force to Air Force relationship is on a very solid footing," said Lieutenant-General Lucas. "We have an outstanding relationship with the USAF and, although it begins with NORAD, the Airmen Talks North discussions cement the relationship through the sharing of information and ideas."

The discussions, which take place twice a year, are held in Canada once and once in the United States of America. The Canadian location changes each year in order to highlight different parts of our country to our neighbours.