SICOFAA. Building Trust and Confidence throughout the Western Hemisphere

In the early 1960s, SICOFAA was simply a forum for air force leaders from the nations of the Western Hemisphere to establish an ongoing dialogue. during these early years, the shared airmens perspective quickly led to the development of close personal relationships among these senior aviators. Air chiefs from member countries gathered without any formal agenda to discuss mutual interests in military aviation and associated issues. Their holistic perspective became the foundation of the organization they later formalized. They recognized that simple fellowship, devoid of all pretensions of power, could be a catalysts for future progress. This relaxed, no-pressure environment encouraged mutual confidence and trust among the senior airmen of countries throughout the Americas. For more than three decades, the resulting organization has contributed enormously to regional security and stability. Today, SICOFAA is a dynamic, vigorous, and growing multinational organization. It has proven to be a resilient, enduring, and productive fixture of hemispheric relations for over 35 years. Currently, SICOFAA includes 18 member nations, including the US and Canada, plus six observer countries. This is not a US-run organization, but an American continental organization that provides an opportunity for airmen to engage in a dialogue among equals to explore methods of fostering cooperation and trust. The official language is Spanish, and member nations participate on equal terms. This forum has produced significant benefits for the Americans for over three decades.