Manama

Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, meets reporters following the Manama Air Power Symposium which was convened the day before the Bahrain International Airshow. The Bahrain International Airshow is a biennial aviation and aerospace industry event. U.S. military support and participation continues to build interoperability and highlight a shared commitment to regional security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Alex Cornell du Houx)

Manama Air Power Symposium highlights new technology, partnerships

Published Jan. 26, 2016
By Lt. Alexander Cornell du Houx and Lt.j.g. Seth Koenig
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Emerging aviation technology and international relationships were the focus Wednesday during the daylong Manama Air Power Symposium, where U.S. military senior leaders met with their counterparts from regional partner nations.

Representing the U.S. in attendance at the symposium were Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., commander of U.S. Air Force Central Command and Vice Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, among others.

“We have established a strong coalition, but in order to achieve success, we need to continue to innovate in this asymmetric environment,” said Brown, who was one of the keynote speakers at the event.

At the event, each nation showcased advances and enhancements in current technology to address a dynamic battlefield.

“We need to continue pushing innovation and thought that will allow us to continue our path to success,” said Brown during his address. “An asymmetric approach requires innovation and thought. Looking at innovation of the path provides us a successful foundation for the future.”

The symposium brought together a mix of industry, military and government officials.

“All of this technology is just a static display without the spirit of our airmen behind them,” said Brown.

The Manama Air Power Symposium took place in advance of the 2016 Bahrain International Airshow, which featured static displays of 10 U.S. military aircraft, as well as F-22 Raptor aerial demonstrations.