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AFSOUTH Chilean liaison officers set a high standard of excellence

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Redman
  • 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. --  The Chilean Air Force, formally the Fuerza Aérea de Chile, released its 2014 Alto Mando, or High Command, listing on Nov. 29, 2013 which listed four previous Chilean liaison officers to 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) to key positions.

Each year the FACH publishes the Alto Mando announcing retirements, promotions, and assignments to new duties. The FACH has 26 general officer positions, four of which will be held by former 12 AF (AFSOUTH) Chilean liaison officers. The positions are:

- Lt. Gen. Jorge Robles will remain as the Chief of Staff, second to Chilean Air Force Commander Gen. Jorge Rojas. Robles served as the first FACH liaison at 12 AF (AFSOUTH) between Feb. 2006 and Aug. 2007.

- Maj. Gen. Arturo Silva will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and will be assigned as the FACH Inspector General. Silva served as the FACH liaison officer to 12 AF (AFSOUTH) between Aug. 2007 and Jan. 2009.

- Maj. Gen. Álvaro Aguirre will also be promoted to lieutenant general and will be assigned as the FACH Director of Plans. Aguirre served as the FACH liaison officer to 12AF (AFSOUTH) between Jan. 2009 and Oct. 2010.

- Comodoro Roberto Avendaño will be promoted to the rank of major general and assigned as the Commander of Brigade V, an F-16 Brigade in Antofagasta, Chile. Avendaño served as the FACH liaison officer to 12 AF (AFSOUTH) between Oct. 2010 and Oct. 2012.

The Chilean liaison officers assigned to the 12 AF (AFSOUTH) work to ensure communication and cooperation flow seamlessly between 12 AF (AFSOUTH), the Security Cooperation Office in the U.S. Embassy, the FACH High Command, and FACH International Relations Directorate.

"Our FACH LNOs have helped us build strong air force-to-air force relationships with a key partner nation in our area of operations," said Mr. Dana Willis, 12 AF (AFSOUTH) Foreign Affairs Specialist. "Our LNO relationship makes it easy to facilitate activities, reach common goals, and work regional issues. They are by far the single greatest theater security cooperation asset we have at our disposal."

The relationship between our air forces has grown stronger due in large part to the presence and work of the liaison officers, added Mr. Willis.

All new positions and ranks are effective January 2014.