The Royal Thai Air Force recently completed its first ever Enduring Partners Engagement with the U.S. Air National Guard. The National Guard-sponsored State Partnership Programme engagement included nearly 230 U.S. Airmen from the 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, and the 141st Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. They deployed with approximately eight F-15 Eagles and two KC-135 Stratotankers.
“The United States and the Air National Guard are extremely grateful for the efforts of the Royal Thai Air Force and our mutual commitment to the types of things we can achieve together now, and in the future, under the State Partnership Programme,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gent Welsh, Washington Air National Guard Commander. “My hope is that we continue to develop generations of Airmen in both Washington state and Thailand through exercises and engagements like this and that we work, and grow old together, working on areas of interest between our two nations for many years to come.”
Enduring Partners participants gained valuable training through combined dissimilar air combat training, air-to-air refueling and ground-controlled interception. The event aimed to improve combat readiness and combined and joint interoperability between the Royal Thai Air Force, Washington Air National Guard, and the Oregon Air National Guard, while enhancing strong defence relations and the State Partnership Programme between the two countries.
Since signing their formal partnership through the State Partnership Programme in 2002, the Washington National Guard and the Royal Thai Armed Forces have met regularly.
