Every year, members of the Five Eyes Air Force Interoperability Council (FVEY AFIC) come together for a national directors meeting, with the role of AFIC chair alternating on a 12-month rotational basis.
Including air forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, AFIC’s mission is to identify and resolve current and future air force interoperability challenges by developing and advancing key initiatives and technologies such as airbase counter-uncrewed aerial systems.
Utilising resources across the FVEY community provides access to a greater range of capabilities, is a more efficient use of resources and greatly improves interoperability between key allies.
Air Commodore Leanne Lee, as the current AFIC chair, hosted the meeting in Sydney last month.
“Now, more than ever, it is essential to foster strong relationships with our FVEY community to progress initiatives enabling, not just interoperability, but interchangeability,” Air Commodore Lee said.
“The meeting allows directors to compare national perspectives, discuss opportunities, review progress, and provide direction, guidance and priorities for the year ahead.”
AFIC has eight priority working groups supported by specialised personnel from each nation, including aerospace medicine; agile combat support; air mobility; airworthiness; counter-uncrewed aerial systems; fuels, lubricants and gases; operational training infrastructure; and combined joint all-domain command and control.
The Australian representative on the AFIC Management Committee, Wing Commander John Cody, said the AFIC National Directors meeting provides an invaluable opportunity for directors to connect face-to-face.
“Our ongoing collaboration allows us to solve problems and achieve more collectively with shared expertise,” Wing Commander Cody said.
“This in turn enhances our ability to operate successfully together in the event of future conflict.”
Wing Commander Cody reflected on the last year in his role as the Australian representative on the AFIC Management Committee.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity to be part of the outstanding work being done to advance FVEY interoperability, with a key highlight being validation of existing AFIC Air Standards during Exercise Mobility Guardian 23 (MG23),” Wing Commander Cody said.
