Air logistics without borders

Air logistics took a strategic leap on July 7 with a momentous signing of a Terms of Reference between senior A4 representatives from RAAF, the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

Hosted at Defence Establishment Fairbairn in Canberra, the event saw the formalisation of the Trilateral Air Logistics Coordination Organisation (TALCO) and an agreement to provide ongoing logistics coordination and cooperation between the three air forces, enhancing and promoting greater levels of logistics interoperability.

Director General Airbase and Logistics Capability RAAF AIRCDRE Natasia Pulford, Director of Logistics (A4L) Headquarters USAF MAJGEN Elizabeth Arledge, and Director General Logistics Department, Air Staff Office JASDF MAJGEN Kunihiro Fujinaga led the strategic talks between nations, reinforcing how crucial the trilateral partnership is for stability, security and collective deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. 

AIRCDRE Pulford said the TALCO aims to strengthen future capability, sustainment, resilience and strategic interoperability and interchangeability. 

“We have a shared commitment for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, we operate common platforms, and we have similar approaches to logistics,” AIRCDRE Pulford said.

“The TALCO provides the framework to enable us to harness our collective strengths to enhance deterrence.”

The TALCO will also inform training objectives for trilateral exercises such as Exercise Southern Cross, which is a new trilateral exercise conducted by the RAAF, United States Pacific Air Force (PACAF) and JASDF.

MAJGEN Fujinaga echoed these comments, saying it is a positive step to sign the TALCO Terms of Reference as it will serve as a coordination mechanism and will
support defence cooperation.

“Today, July 7, is also ‘Tanabata’, or the ‘Star Festival’ – a traditional Japanese festival when people write their wishes and pray to the stars,” MAJGEN Fujinaga said.

“With that in mind, I have signed the Terms of Reference with a heartfelt wish – that cooperation among Japan, the United States and Australia in the logistics domain will continue to grow even stronger.”

MAJGEN Arledge said working together will continue to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and strengthen the industrial base. She also highlighted the importance of reciprocal training opportunities.

“The USAF is committed to collaboration, transparency and results,” MAJGEN Arledge said.

“Together we can build a logistics enterprise to meet any challenge, anytime.”

Exercise Southern Cross will become a biennial exercise hosted by RAAF with the USAF and JASDF. It is designed to progress trilateral development under the Trilateral Information Sharing Agreement between each nation’s respective defence forces, as well as the Trilateral Air Cooperation Memorandum of Intent dated June 2024.