Aviation and Health: A Key Nexus for the US Air Force's Regional Security-Building Efforts

Abstract : A confluence of fiscal challenges, lessons learned from Afghanistan and Iraq, and increased emphasis on US influence in the Asia-Pacific region has significantly shaped national strategic guidance in recent years. One emergent theme is the importance of integrated diplomacy, development, and defense ( 3D ) to prevent conflict and build partner nation (PN) capacity. The 2010 National Security Strategy mandated enhancing regional security through spur[ring] economic growth, strengthen[ing] weak and failing states, lift[ing] people out of poverty, combat[ing] . . . epidemic disease, and strengthen[ing] . . . governance. Reinforcing that imperative, Presidential Policy Directive 23, published in 2013, aims to help partner nations build the sustainable capacity to address common security challenges; promote partner support for the policies and interests of the United States; strengthen collective security and . . . promote universal values. Building PN infrastructure is a complex task involving a myriad of interdependent facets of a nation's resources, including aviation. The United States helps PNs develop their whole-of-nation aviation enterprise to improve governance and economy. Doing so requires the coordinated expertise of a wide variety of US resources such as the US Trade and Development Agency, which has advanced public-private aviation partnerships overseas for over 20 years, linking industry leaders with US government resources such as the Federal Aviation Administration. A second critical resource is health care. The United States Global Health Initiative, established in 2009, reflects the president s commitment to improving PNs health, underscored by creation of the Office of Global Health Diplomacy in the Department of State (DOS) last year.