OTTAWA, Ontario (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. traveled to Canada June 8-9 to further strengthen the close and longstanding relationship between the U.S. Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force.
During the visit, Brown engaged in staff talks led by RCAF Commander Lt. Gen. Al Meinzinger and RCAF Chief of Fighter Capability Maj. Gen. Sylvain Ménard, at National Defence Headquarters, and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial.
In staff talks, the leaders discussed steps taken to implement North American Aerospace Defense Command modernization and the significant value of combined planning to provide continuous monitoring and surveillance capability.
The RCAF discussed the importance of the Arctic, emphasizing how Canada’s insights have been vital to identifying new opportunities for cooperation.
“We are committed to working with the Royal Canadian Air Force on modernizing NORAD and on Arctic security to meet modern challenges in defense of North America,” Brown said. “Our continued collaboration is helping better prepare us to meet future challenges in the region together. I’m grateful for our partnership and look forward to building on our productive talks.”
Brown further welcomed Canada’s decision to select the F-35 Lightning II as its future fighter and noted that the increased capabilities and interoperability afforded by a common platform would bolster the continental defense partnership.
The leaders exchanged ideas on ways to increase retention in their respective air forces and agreed upon the fundamental importance of diverse backgrounds, demographics, and perspectives to readiness and mission success.
Brown also expressed condolences for the deaths of four Royal Military College of Canada cadets in an automobile accident April 29.
Ahead of his engagements with the RCAF, Brown met with U.S. Ambassador David Cohen at U.S. Embassy Ottawa.