BC: I would describe it as stable. Like everywhere in the world, we are struggling with the pandemic. It has created a turmoil globally – we know that. But in Latin America specifically we have seen devastating effects, not only from a human toll, but also the economic repercussions of the pandemic downturn and so, as we climb out of the pandemic, we are really excited to kind of catapult our relationships into the future, to interoperability and strong partnering within the western hemisphere. So, I am optimistic about the future of the western hemisphere, just based on the historic strong relationships that we have, and we will come together: we get better as the pandemic continues to subside. MilTech: From a security perspective, what are the main challenges you are facing here in South America? BC: In addition to pthe andemic, we are always concerned about natural disasters, and we are focused on military assistance during disasters. When crisis comes, we use our relationships that we built to come together. We are very proud of our membership in the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces [Sistema de Cooperación entre las Fuerzas Aéreas Americanas – SICOFAA], as Chile and other regional partners are members as well. That builds a network – not only capabilities, but also relationships with which we can address these natural disasters when they come. And they always come. We are in a part of the world where natural disasters occur a lot. We are also obviously concerned about transnational criminal organisations and the kind of effects that they capitalise on, whether it is denial of human rights, access to illegal trafficking of all sorts that undermine the security and interests of our country – it creates instability and criminal aftereffects. They are concerning to all of us. So, we continue to focus on that as well. Again, I think these are not challenges that we can’t overcome together, and that is kind of the basis of our conversations when we talk about joining together to confront and counter these threats. MilTech: What capabilities can the US Air Force and Space Force marshall to face these challenges? BC: We focus a lot on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and with the United States and our partner nations developing capability to keep an unblinking eye on all activities in this part of the world, so that we understand how to characterise those threats. I think, mobility is also another high area of interest, so that we can move quickly to address any crisis and can deploy our capabilities from a military standpoint in support of law enforcement activities or, in our case, in support of State Department-led programmes like USAID, that are on the scene trying to provide relief to people in a very timely way. So, ISR, mobility and I think we start to better understand what the threats are and what capabilities we actually need to provide. Another area is network solutions – to Maj Gen Barry R Cornish is Commander of US 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. As the Air Force component to US Southern Command, Air Forces Southern conducts security cooperation and provides air, space and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. According to the US Air Force official website, Air Forces Southern supports US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in deterring aggression, defeating threats, rapidly responding to crises and working with allies and partner nations to build regional capacity to ensure a secure, free and prosperous Western hemisphere. MilTech special correspondent, André Forkert, interviewed the general during FIDAE 2022 in Santiago, Chile. MilTech: General, please tell us something about the unit you command. BC: Sure, I am Major General Barry R Cornish, the commander of the 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern and I serve as the air and space component commander for Southern Command, headquartered in Miami. My headquarters is in Tucson, Arizona, and there are about 800 airmen and civilians that fall under my command. We represent Gen Laura J Richardson, US SOUTHCOM Commander, not only as the commander of air forces but also in theatre security cooperation and partnering and building strong relationships with all the partner nation air forces and space forces in Latin America and the Caribbean. MilTech: How would you describe the situation in South America regarding the general security environment? Proud of Building Relationships Maj Gen Barry R Cornish – Commander, US 12th Air Force 80 · MT 3/2022 Interview
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