The week-long International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) includes aerial demonstrations, interaction with the local community, and subject matter expert exchanges with the Chilean Air Force.
More than 65 Airmen from around the United States are scheduled to participate in a variety of activities during the week-long International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) that includes aerial demonstrations, interaction with the local community, and subject matter expert exchanges with the Chilean Air Force.
“AFSOUTH [Air Force South] has built relationships with our partner nations, like Chile, through the facilitation of exercises and exchanges throughout the past several years,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Mike Torrealday, Reserve Advisor to the 12th AF (AFSOUTH) Commander and AFSOUTH mission commander for FIDAE 2016. “It’s this relationship between Chile and the United States, that AFSOUTH has cultivated, which led to us being invited to support FIDAE.”
Exchanges like those that will occur at FIDAE are conducted throughout the year across the U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility where Airmen are able to share best practices and procedures with their Chilean counterparts.
Through this ongoing interaction, U.S. Airmen are able to promote interoperability with partner-nation air forces throughout the Western Hemisphere.
“FIDAE is a great opportunity for Airmen to work hand-in-hand with the Chilean air force,” Torrealday added. “The air show also gives our Airmen a chance to learn new concepts and procedures from the several other air forces that are here and it also gives them the chance to interact and learn about the latest technology in air and space.”