RAMSTEIN, Germany – For the first time since 2014, NATO Allied Air Command held the Partners Air Commanders’ Conference, December 11 and 12, at its headquarters in Ramstein, Germany.  The conference brought together the Air Chiefs or representatives from 14 Partner countries, NATO International Military Staff (IMS) and Allied Air Command to pursue dialogue and practical cooperation on a wide range of security-related issues in the Air Domain.

 

Highlighting the importance of the conference as a forum seeking to improve security for the broader international community, Commander Allied Air Command, General Tod D. Wolters welcomed the delegates and set the context for the discussions to follow "This conference is a great opportunity to showcase Allied Air and Space Power to NATO’s Partners from across the globe. We have convened to build mutual confidence and achieve common understanding about what matters to NATO and Partner air forces – professional delivery of air power.”

 

The conference also focused on recent developments and challenges in the field of NATO cooperative security, led by Major General Jan Toft, Director Cooperative Security Division at IMS. The delegates were then briefed on Allied Air Command’s standing missions and capability to deliver this cooperative security, in the Air and Space domain, on behalf of the Alliance.  Finally, the Partner Air Chiefs contributed briefings on their own perspectives and regional security considerations and how these impact on their Air Forces. The conference wrapped up discussing synergies and how Allied Air Command and Partner nations could best provide mutual support and benefit in air-related activities.

 

NATO cooperates with a range of international organisations and Partner nations in various structures. Four different partnership frameworks are designed to build trust, consult and collaborate in areas of mutual interest. Partners contribute to many of NATO’s core activities, from shaping policy to building defence capacity, developing interoperability and managing crises. NATO’s Partnership programmes also assist development of national defence and security institutions and forces.  Partner countries represented at the conference were Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia, Iraq, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia[1] Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.