U.S., Peru advance strategic air partnership, F-16 integration during bilateral talks

Published June 26, 2026
By Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves
12th Air Force, Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH) Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --

Twelfth Air Force, Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH), interfaced with the Peruvian air force (FAP) during the United States and Peru Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks, hosted at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 15-17.

Throughout the three-day summit, bilateral leaders met to discuss operational frameworks focusing on cyber defense, aircraft maintenance, logistics, and resource planning while discussing future areas of cooperation between the two air forces.

U.S., Peru advance strategic air partnership, F-16 integration during bilateral talks

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Henry Jeffress III, 12th Air Force, Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH) deputy commander, thanks the Peruvian air force (FAP) for attending the United States and Peru Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 15, 2026. Jeffress emphasized democratic values, mutual respect for sovereignty, and collective responsibility the U.S. and Peru have to protect each population. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

“The United States remains committed to Peru as a trusted partner of choice,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Henry Jeffress III, AFSOUTH deputy commander. “This is more than two nations that share a hemisphere– this is a shared neighborhood. We are bound by our democratic values, mutual respect for sovereignty, and collective responsibility to protect our populations.”

Building on a shared commitment to regional security and defense, the discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Peruvian air forces while identifying opportunities to enhance integration, cooperation and collective security efforts in the air domain.

“My biggest take-away from this event is the reinforcement that our air forces are aligned in our objectives to counter transnational criminal organizations,” said Lt. Col. Allen Snyder, AFSOUTH plans, programs and assessments, chief of theater security cooperation. “With Peru, we have a willing and able partner that is increasing its military capabilities in the air domain through the purchases of F-16s. That will help us cooperate together and strengthen integration throughout the Western Hemisphere.”

U.S., Peru advance strategic air partnership, F-16 integration during bilateral talks

Peruvian air force (FAP) Lt. Col. Berly Briceño Velàsquez, FAP Department of the General Staff military group liaison, briefs during the United States and Peru Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 15, 2026. Velàsquez discussed efforts to advance air domain capabilities and confirmed its broader efforts to enhance readiness and collective security with the U.S. across the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

U.S., Peru advance strategic air partnership, F-16 integration during bilateral talks

Peruvian air force (FAP) Maj. Gen. Martin Asenjo Gallo, FAP deputy chief of the general staff, receives a brief during the United States and Peru Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 16, 2026. Gallo and Peruvian air force members received information on how to support F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft maintenance programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

U.S., Peru advance strategic air partnership, F-16 integration during bilateral talks

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Henry Jeffress III, 12th Air Force, Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH) deputy commander, center, speaks with Peruvian air force (FAP) leaders during the United States and Peru Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 15, 2026. The discussions reinforced military-to-military cooperation, enabling both air forces to synchronize efforts and strengthen readiness against shared regional threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

This milestone aircraft procurement follows highly visible joint engagements. In April, the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team performed at the 2026 Peruvian Airshow at Las Palmas Air Base. Following the event, the Peruvian air force finalized an agreement to purchase F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The deal marks a major modernization of Peru’s air defense capabilities and binds the nation to long-term U.S. training and maintenance programs.

Representing the FAP in cyber operations, Lt. Col. Iván M. Vargas Guevara emphasized the strategic timing of the summit.

U.S., Peru advance strategic air partnership, F-16 integration during bilateral talks

Peruvian air force (FAP) Lt. Col. Berly Briceño Velàsquez, FAP Department of the General Staff military group liaison, takes notes during the United States and Peru Airman-to-Airman Staff Talks, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 16, 2026. The talks provided a forum to exchange best practices in aircraft operations, maintenance, logistics, training, and resource planning, strengthening interoperability and future cooperation between the two air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves) Note this photo has been altered for operational security by blurring out written text.

"As Peru modernizes its air force with the acquisition of new fighter aircraft, these staff talks are vital," Vargas Guevara said. "They provide us a unique opportunity to exchange tactical knowledge, learn alongside our U.S. counterparts, and ensure our forces are fully integrated for future joint operations."

The staff talks reinforced the longstanding defense partnership between the United States and Peru. Together, AFSOUTH and the FAP continue to advance shared objectives through sustained cooperation in support of a safer, more secure Western Hemisphere.