Filling the Security Assistance Gap

Guidance from the President in the 2006 NSS, the Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Strategy, and the recently completed 2006 QDR all state the importance of strengthening and building international relationships to enhance coalition operations. The DoD builds security cooperation relationships through security assistance (SA) programs, administered by the armed services. Examples of USAF SA programs include foreign military sales, technology transfer, cooperative armaments, and international training. For coalition air forces to achieve decisive victory, they must be interoperable. True interoperability among current and future coalition air force partners is a lofty goal, the success of which depends on a solid foundation of USAF-provided flight training. Improved interoperability among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partner nations located in the heart of the volatile Middle East is particularly needed. This paper provides clear evidence that a gap, or missed opportunity, exists in the area of USAF international flight training.