U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach hosted Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde for an official counterpart visit, May 19, to deepen bilateral defense cooperation and advance shared security priorities in the Western Hemisphere.
As part of the visit, Valverde received a full-honors arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, attended both an office call and staff talks with Wilsbach at the Pentagon, and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
"It was an honor to host Argentine Air Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde here in the National Capital Region for a counterpart visit," Wilsbach said. "Deepening the defense relationship between the U.S. and Argentina advances our shared priorities that are vital to regional security and stability in the Western Hemisphere."
During the office call, Wilsbach praised Argentina's regional leadership and underscored the importance of the bilateral defense relationship to hemispheric security and stability. He commended the Argentine Air Force's commitment to modernization and its acquisition of F-16 fighter aircraft, pledging steadfast U.S. Air Force support to ensure the long-term success of the program. Wilsbach further emphasized the U.S. Air Force's enduring partnership in Argentina's overall fleet sustainment efforts, noting that a ready and capable Argentine Air Force is a shared strategic interest.
The office call was followed by staff talks to discuss topics including force optimization, F-16 training and interoperability, and C-130 maintenance and sustainment.
Following his engagements in the National Capital Region, Valverde traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for meetings with U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base. He additionally toured the Cheyenne Mountain Complex during a visit hosted by Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. Valverde also visited the U.S. Air Force Academy for briefings at the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center, Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, and Astronomical Research Group and Observatory.
Valverde subsequently traveled to Utah for engagements at Hill Air Force Base, including meetings with Argentine foreign liaison officers, the F-16 System Program Office, and Brig. Gen. Hall Sebren, commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex. He concluded the visit at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base with a KC-135R Stratotanker maintenance briefing hosted by Maj. Gen. Daniel Boyack, adjutant general of Utah, and Brig. Gen. Chris Buckner, assistant adjutant general for Air.
