South American Air Chiefs Meet in Arizona
Air force leaders from ten South American nations and the U.S. convened in Tucson to discuss regional security cooperation, focusing on shared threats like narcotrafficking and cyber vulnerabilities.
Air chiefs and senior military leaders from across South America gathered in Tucson, Arizona from August 25-28 for the South American Air Chiefs Conference (SOUTHAM) 2026. The four-day event was hosted by U.S. Air Forces Southern/12th Air Force (AFSOUTH).
U.S. Air Force Major General David Mineau, the AFSOUTH commander, opened the conference by framing the borderless nature of modern threats. He cited transnational criminal organizations and cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure as key concerns, emphasizing that no single nation could meet these challenges alone.
Conference Agenda and Key Themes
Discussions covered a wide range of operational topics. Leaders addressed secure communications, air domain awareness, and counternarcotics operations. Illicit air corridors, transnational criminal organizations, and emerging technologies were also on the agenda. Cyber vulnerabilities and current aircraft capabilities rounded out the technical discussions.
U.S. Marine Corps General Francis L. Donovan, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), addressed the assembly. He stressed that cooperation did not require sacrificing national sovereignty and highlighted the strategic value of the personal relationships formed at such gatherings. Donovan called these relationships a vital asset for enabling rapid information sharing and decisive collective action against borderless threats.
Regional Perspectives and Coalition Building
The conference included delegations from ten South American nations. General Hugo Rodríguez González, commander in chief of the Chilean Air Force, underscored the need for common frameworks to enable effective collaboration. He argued that regional air forces require common doctrine, a shared language, and unified procedures. Rodríguez also contributed a briefing on Chile's space program. This presentation sparked dialogue on opportunities for regional cooperation in space-related research, sustainable development, and security.
Practical Engagements and Partnerships
The theoretical discussions were paired with practical activities. Air chiefs met with industry representatives to examine emerging technologies and potential capability solutions. A visit to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base provided a forum for talks on aircraft sustainment and regeneration.
Representatives from the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) participated throughout the conference. Their role was to reinforce ties between South American air forces and their U.S. state-level partners. Bilateral meetings were also conducted to address specific partnership priorities and future cooperation.
Senior enlisted leaders from the participating nations were integral attendees. Major General Mineau directly addressed their importance, describing a professionalized enlisted force as the backbone of any modern air force and a catalyst for operational success.
Mineau concluded by linking the trust built at the conference to real-world mission success. He urged participants to use the week to challenge assumptions and deepen bilateral and multilateral ties. The trust developed in conference rooms, he noted, is the same trust relied upon when executing missions side-by-side. The conference continued with further senior-leader discussions and bilateral engagements.
