Air chiefs wrap symposium with push to strengthen airpower and alliances

Senior military leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and North America convened at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 12-15 for the 2026 Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium, where multilateral airpower integration drove discussions and engagements.

Representatives from more than 20 nations focused on cooperative air power, deterrence, and strengthening alliances and partnerships in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The forum, long regarded as a unifying venue for nations committed to regional security, was hosted by U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, commander of Pacific Air Forces, who emphasized relationship-building and integrated capabilities. “This gathering is about building relationships, and it was intentionally set up for us to continue to expand not only our existing relationships, but to create new ones,” Schneider said. “The talks focus on integrated air power. We are all different, we all present different capabilities, but everyone here is an important part of that effort. We all bring the individual skill sets and capabilities to whatever problem presents itself.”

Sessions addressed the region’s expansive geography, emergent technologies, integration of Air and Missile Defense, leveraging reserve components, improving international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and enhancing multilateral leadership training through the Inter-Pacific Air Forces Academy, with the aim of strengthening connections and deepening operational integration.

On the final day, U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, underscored the need for sustained cooperation and interoperability among allies and partners. “Our alliances and our partnerships are our strategic center of gravity,” Paparo said. “We all have an equal stake. We must all have an equal, commensurate contribution to our common defense within our alliances and partnerships.”

Pacific Air Forces identified contributions to a common defense as a top priority in advancing cooperation and deterrence across the region. While the four-day gathering concluded, organizers said the trust forged through shared experiences and collaboration will continue to reinforce partnerships well beyond the event.