Bangladesh and U.S. airmen agree on roadmap at ninth Airman-to-Airman Talks

Leaders from the Bangladesh Air Force, U.S. Pacific Air Forces and the Oregon Air National Guard signed the minutes of the ninth Airman-to-Airman Talks on Sept. 22, 2026, at Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka, setting the course for the next year of cooperation between the two air forces.

Bangladesh Air Force Air Commodore Mohammad Sahidul Islam, director of plans at Air Headquarters and head of the Bangladesh delegation; U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Shane Vesely, director of strategy, plans, programs and requirements at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces; and U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Lantagne, director of staff for the Oregon Air National Guard, signed the minutes in the Air Headquarters Annex Building conference room.

The talks began Sept. 20 with addresses by delegation leaders and presentations from PACAF and the Bangladesh Air Force. Over subsequent sessions, the delegations reviewed progress on action items from last year’s minutes, worked through agenda items from both sides, and drafted new minutes together. On the final morning, the teams visited the Bangladesh Air Force’s 133 Air Transport Unit before convening for the signing.

“We must remain focused on purpose over activity,” Lantagne said in his closing remarks. “An engagement is not valuable simply because it occurred, but because it leaves an Airman better trained, a process improved, or a new capability established.” He emphasized that the value of the talks will be measured by the actions that follow, noting plans for the Oregon National Guard to work with the Bangladesh Air Force, PACAF, the U.S. Embassy and the United States Military Group to translate shared priorities into realistic, executable engagements. “We are not just looking toward the next engagement,” he said. “We are invested in a lifelong relationship.” Oregon and Bangladesh have been partners under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program since 2008.

Vesely, who co-chaired the talks, highlighted the quality of the discussions and the concrete action items that emerged. “I’m always inspired by what is possible when our Airmen work shoulder to shoulder and eyeball to eyeball to strengthen the bilateral relationship between our two great air forces,” he said.

Sahidul described the week as the product of extensive preparation, yielding precise, meaningful action items and improvements in how the minutes were written, along with a stronger commitment on both sides to carry them out. He said the two air forces share a common language and perspective when they meet, with aligned missions and a shared effort.

The partners alternate hosting the talks; last year’s session took place at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, hosted by the Oregon Air National Guard. “Last year we hosted; this year you hosted,” Lantagne told the Bangladesh delegation. “I wish we could have flip-flopped that so Oregon could have learned how to truly host.”

“Air Commodore Sahidul and his comprehensive and professional team were extremely gracious and welcoming hosts,” Vesely said. “Their warm hospitality made us feel at home in Dhaka and provided a foundation of trust on which to build candid and productive talks. I can’t wait to see the resulting progress in the days and months ahead.”

The signed minutes will now proceed through the Bangladesh Air Force’s formal approval process before being exchanged between the partners. Vesely said he looks forward to the 10th Airman-to-Airman Talks next year, with interim check-ins to track progress. “This is not the end, but the beginning,” he said.