Ramstein, 3 March 2016 – NATO Air Chiefs, General Officers and Senior Enlisted Leaders from 28 Allied Air Forces and 5 enhanced Partner countries convened for the first NATO Air Chiefs’ Symposium of 2016, chaired by the Commander of Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), General Frank Gorenc. This is a semi-annual forum held by AIRCOM to discuss Joint and Air domain issues and Air Power’s asymmetric advantages.
Air Chiefs from NATO nations and Partner countries gather at Allied Air Command for the NATO Air Chiefs’ first Symposium of 2016 convened by Commander AIRCOM, General Frank Gorenc (front centre) Photo: Cynthia Vernat, HQ AIRCOM PAO.
In opening remarks, General Gorenc welcomed the Air Chiefs and their accompanying Senior Enlisted Leaders and presented his perspectives on the key issues confronting the NATO Alliance;
"Some of the elements consuming all our thoughts in the current security environment are the differing challenges from the High North, East and along the Southern Arc of the Alliance, with Long Range Aviation a consideration to the West. We will discuss how we continue to address these issues and provide assurance to our Alliance and to our Partners.”
Commander AIRCOM, General Frank Gorenc welcomes NATO and Partner Air Chiefs and outlines the updates and discussion points to follow. Photo: Cynthia Vernat, HQ AIRCOM PAO.
The Commander of AIRCOM hosts gatherings of NATO Air Chiefs twice a year with this Symposium focused primarily on the current security context and the way through the Warsaw Summit. Additionally AIRCOM’s subject matter experts briefed on the Integrated Air and Missile Defence, the Ballistic Missile Defence Strategic Plans and other topics from exercises to readiness.
Specifically, discussions covered Air’s contribution to strategic security, including strategies to counter Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD). After updates on NATO’s Assurance Measures in the Air domain, the future of Exercises and evaluations especially opportunities to enhance collective training were considered. As a final point, the Air Chiefs were updated on emerging Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) capability and discussed its integration into the Alliance’s future.
In delivering Air and Space Power for the Alliance, General Gorenc stressed the importance of this Symposium;
"My role as the adviser on Air and Space matters and as the proponent of Air to SACEUR, is informed by the discussions we have shared here today.”