US Demonstrates Continued Support with Malaysia at LIMA 2015

Capt. Austin Brown reviews his F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration with a member of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition crew March 16, 2015, in Langkawi, Malaysia. Brown is a pilot assigned to the Pacific Air Forces demonstration team. (Source: US Air Force photo/1st Lt. Elias Zani)

LANGKAWI, Malaysia  - The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 15 (LIMA 15), which is the largest airshow in the region, officially commenced on March 17.

The United States supported the event with approximately 450 Sailors, Airmen and Marines, demonstrating its continued partnership with the country of Malaysia.

"Our participation in events like LIMA 15 demonstrates our continued commitment to the regional stability and security of our partners in the Asia-Pacific region," said Maj. Gen. Michael Compton, the Air National Guard assistant to the commander of Pacific Air Forces. "We have a strong military-to-military relationship with Malaysia, and we hope to continue to grow it through forming personal relationships that ultimately contribute to increased interoperability with other countries' services."

LIMA first started in 1991 on the small island of Langkawi, Malaysia. Now in its 13th iteration, this biennial event has since become the region's premier maritime and airshow exhibition.

Malaysia has long been a partner of the U.S., providing support and relief to a number of operations.

Participation in LIMA 15 highlights the United States' dedication to nurturing the "comprehensive partnership" that President Barack Obama declared last year and supports the Defense Department's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region.

The U.S. military participates in LIMA and other similar events to provide an opportunity to advance and strengthen alliances and partnerships, which allows it to contend with common challenges.

"LIMA provides an ideal forum to showcase U.S. assets and form personal relationships that ultimately contribute to increased interoperability with other countries' services," said Navy Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, the commander of the 7th Fleet. "The dialogue, seminars and information exchanges that occur at LIMA are essential to building mutual understanding and future cooperation."

In addition to personnel, Pacific Air Forces is supporting LIMA 15 with an F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration flight and a B-52 Stratofortress flyover, as well as F-15 Eagle and F-16 aircraft static displays.

U.S. Pacific Fleet is supporting with static displays featuring F/A-18F Super Hornet, P-8A Poseidon, and MH-60R Seahawk aircraft and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser, USS Shiloh. Marine Corp Forces Pacific is supporting LIMA 15 with a UH-1Y Venom static display.