ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A U.S. Air Force Reserve delegation led by Lt. Gen. John Healy, Chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, will engage in a multi-nation visit to the Netherlands and France as part of the Reserve Allies and Partners Program.
The program, known as RAPP, advances U.S. defense objectives through interoperable, agile and mission-ready partnerships.
This month’s European trip follows recent RAPP engagements across the Indo-Pacific, including events in the Philippines, Palau and the Republic of Korea.
The Netherlands: Force Development & Collaboration
The trip will begin in the Netherlands, where the delegation will meet with the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force to discuss reserve force development and opportunities to enhance readiness and capabilities through exercises and exchanges.
“Our shared commitment to developing strategic depth is vital to integrated deterrence,” said Healy. “We are continuing to collaborate and exchange knowledge to build our interoperability, particularly at the reserve-to-reserve level.”
France: Partnership & Interoperability
In France, the Air Force Reserve and French Air and Space Force partnership will be formalized through the signing of a terms of reference for bilateral cooperation. The document will establish a framework for engagement that supports mutual strategic objectives and reflects shared values, priorities and operational goals.
“While our countries have a long-standing alliance, formalizing this partnership signals a new milestone in our military-to-military relationship,” said Healy. “We look forward to identifying opportunities across the full spectrum of our shared interests, from exercises and unit-level engagements that enhance our interoperability with the French Air and Space Force, to professional development programs that strengthen our collective capabilities."
International Air Reserve Symposium
The delegation will also attend the International Air Reserve Symposium in France, a forum for leaders from global air forces and air reserve components to discuss topics of common interest. Established in 1992, this year’s IARS will highlight reserve force readiness and training efforts.
“The IARS provides a valuable forum for collaborating with international partners, deepening air reserve relationships and strengthening combined readiness,” said Healy. “Developing our collective reserve capabilities offers ready forces to deter, and if necessary, defeat common adversaries.”
About RAPP
RAPP is the AFR’s mechanism for international engagement. It promotes interoperability with international air reserve forces, supports allies in developing reserve capabilities and fosters collaboration in areas of shared interest. RAPP offers partnership options across four lines of effort: key leader engagements, exercises, mil-to-mil engagements and force development.