U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin hosted Royal Thai Air Force Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul for an official counterpart visit Dec. 11 to strengthen the U.S.-Thailand alliance and advance shared security interests in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
As part of the visit, Punpakdee received a full honors arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, attended both an office call and staff talks with Allvin at the Pentagon, and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
During the office call, Allvin welcomed Punpakdee to the United States and thanked him for prioritizing the enduring U.S.-Thailand defense relationship by visiting just two months into his tenure as air chief.
The leaders discussed a range of issues that are vital to common objectives, including force modernization. Allvin reaffirmed U.S. Air Force support to RTAF modernization efforts, highlighting nearly four decades of successful bilateral cooperation on the F-16 program and underscoring the importance of maintaining interoperability.
The two sides further explored opportunities to increase personnel exchanges that foster trust, strengthen military-to-military ties, and develop long-term personal and professional relationships. Allvin also noted the recent graduation of the first U.S. Air Force female officer to attend RTAF Air Command and Staff College and expressed his appreciation to Punpakdee for helping enable her admission in his previous role.
The office call was followed by staff talks to discuss an array of defense-related topics. Subjects included strategic initiatives; potential modernization activities; cybersecurity efforts; future joint training; and capacity-building priorities.
In addition to his engagements in the National Capital Region, Punpakdee traveled to Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to visit Air University. There he met with Lt. Gen. Andrea D. Tullos, AU commander and president; engaged Thai students attending AU; and attended a series of briefings and meetings regarding AU capabilities and enlisted development.
