DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.-- Twelfth Air Force, Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH), interfaced with the Peruvian air force (FAP) during the United States and Peru Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks, hosted at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 15-17.
Throughout the three-day summit, bilateral leaders met to discuss operational frameworks focusing on cyber defense, aircraft maintenance, logistics, and resource planning while discussing future areas of cooperation between the two air forces.
“The United States remains committed to Peru as a trusted partner of choice,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Henry Jeffress III, AFSOUTH deputy commander. “This is more than two nations that share a hemisphere– this is a shared neighborhood. We are bound by our democratic values, mutual respect for sovereignty, and collective responsibility to protect our populations.”
Building on a shared commitment to regional security and defense, the discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Peruvian air forces while identifying opportunities to enhance integration, cooperation and collective security efforts in the air domain.
“My biggest take-away from this event is the reinforcement that our air forces are aligned in our objectives to counter transnational criminal organizations,” said Lt. Col. Allen Snyder, AFSOUTH plans, programs and assessments, chief of theater security cooperation. “With Peru, we have a willing and able partner that is increasing its military capabilities in the air domain through the purchases of F-16s. That will help us cooperate together and strengthen integration throughout the Western Hemisphere.”
This milestone aircraft procurement follows highly visible joint engagements. In April, the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team performed at the 2026 Peruvian Airshow at Las Palmas Air Base. Following the event, the Peruvian air force finalized an agreement to purchase F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The deal marks a major modernization of Peru’s air defense capabilities and binds the nation to long-term U.S. training and maintenance programs.
Representing the FAP in cyber operations, Lt. Col. Iván M. Vargas Guevara emphasized the strategic timing of the summit.
"As Peru modernizes its air force with the acquisition of new fighter aircraft, these staff talks are vital," Vargas Guevara said. "They provide us a unique opportunity to exchange tactical knowledge, learn alongside our U.S. counterparts, and ensure our forces are fully integrated for future joint operations."
The staff talks reinforced the longstanding defense partnership between the United States and Peru. Together, AFSOUTH and the FAP continue to advance shared objectives through sustained cooperation in support of a safer, more secure Western Hemisphere.