U.S. demonstrates continued support with Malaysia

by 1st Lt. Elias Zani
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

3/19/2015 - LANGKAWI, Malaysia  -- The largest airshow in the region, the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 15 officially commenced March 17.

The United States supported the event with approximately 450 Sailors, Airmen and Marines, demonstrating its continued partnership with the country of Malaysia.

"Our participation in events like LIMA 15 demonstrates our continued commitment to the regional stability and security of our partners in the Asia-Pacific region," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Compton, Air National Guard assistant to the Pacific Air Forces commander. "We have a strong military-to-military relationship with Malaysia, and we hope to continue to grow it through forming personal relationships that ultimately contribute to increased interoperability with other countries' services."

LIMA first started in 1991 on the small island of Langkawi, Malaysia. Now in its 13th iteration, this biennial event has since become the region's premier maritime and airshow exhibition.

Malaysia has long been a partner of the U.S., providing support and relief to a number of operations.

Participation in LIMA 15 highlights the United States' dedication to nurturing the "comprehensive partnership" Obama declared just last year and supports the Defense Department's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region.

The U.S. military participates in LIMA and other similar events to provide an opportunity to advance and strengthen alliances and partnerships, which allows it to contend with common challenges.

"LIMA provides an ideal forum to showcase U.S. assets and form personal relationships that ultimately contribute to increased interoperability with other countries' services," said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, 7th Fleet commander. "The dialogue, seminars and information exchanges that occur at LIMA are essential to building mutual understanding and future cooperation."

In addition to personnel, Pacific Air Forces is supporting LIMA 15 with an F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration flight and a B-52 Stratofortress flyover, as well as F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft static displays.

U.S. Pacific Fleet is supporting with static displays featuring F/A-18F Super Hornet, P-8A Poseidon, and MH-60R Seahawk aircraft and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser, USS Shiloh. Marine Corp Forces Pacific is supporting LIMA 15 with a UH-1Y Venom static display.

The exhibition runs through March 21.