Admiral Aquilino met with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) leadership, including Air Commodore David Paddison CSC, Commander of Combat Support Group.

The commander also visited locally stationed US personnel from the 509^th Bomb Wing, deployed to Australia as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) program.

According to AIRCDRE Paddison, the counterparts discussed opportunities to bolster integrated training between the US Air Force and RAAF under the EAC program.  

“RAAF Base Amberley has been hosting US personnel and B-2 aircraft throughout the month of July, where integration between aircraft along with ground forces has been occurring,” AIRCDRE Paddison said.

“It’s not a regular occurrence for our refuelling, security and fire fighters to gain experience on aircraft such as the B-2.

“It is a privilege having Admiral Aquilino visit our largest Air Force base in Australia and meeting our aviators, who have been working with their peers from the 509^th Bomb Wing.”

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AIRCDRE Paddison said the partnership would further strengthen interoperability in support of shared interests.

“The Indo-Pacific is our home, and we stand committed to an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific,” AIRCDRE Paddison added.

The EAC initiative commenced in February 2017, aimed at enhancing joint air exercises and training activities to deepen advanced air-to-air integration between the Australian Defence Force and US air elements.

The initiative also serves to facilitate opportunities for engagement with other regional partner air forces.

The EAC initiative forms part of the United States Force Posture Initiatives.

[Related: Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense conference held in Sydney]