RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Air Force and the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) strengthened air defense cooperation thru the 18th bilateral Airman-to-Airman Talks (A2AT) held in Honolulu, Hawaii, from July 14–16, 2026. The forum resulted in several strategic agreements to enhance interoperability and align the joint training agenda for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 as part of strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

The TNI AU delegation was led by the Deputy Assistant for Operations of the Air Force Chief of Staff, First Marshal TNI M. Satriyo Utomo, while the PACAF delegation was led by Chief of Staff Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Brigadier General Shane Vesely, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The meeting also served as a platform to strengthen coordination in facing the continuously evolving regional security challenges.

In the discussion, both parties agreed to enhance Air Domain Awareness (ADA) thru Mobile Training Team (MTT) training, optimization of joint exercises and military education, as well as strengthening Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

In a press release quoted by RRI VOI, Monday, July 27, 2026. Both delegations also agreed on the development of cooperation in the cyber and space domains, including strengthening logistical support, medical services, and airbase resilience to support the operational readiness of both air forces.

In addition to agreeing on an operational cooperation program, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) are drafting short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans for capability development in the fields of cyber and space. Training funded by the United States Government (US-funded) is prioritized to be conducted in Indonesia to enhance operational efficiency and expand benefits for TNI AU personnel.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the A2AT Minutes, the exchange of plaques, and the signing of the guest book as a symbol of the close air defense diplomacy relationship between Indonesia and the United States.

The 18th A2AT series also included a visit to the Hickam Historical Museum, which documents the history of Hickam Field and the air raid on December 7, 1941, as well as the Bong Air and Space Operations Center, the PACAF air command center in the Pacific region that serves as the main facility for war simulations and joint exercises with Indo-Pacific partner countries.