Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff Brig participate in a welcoming ceremony during an counterpart visit, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C., May 19, 2026. Valverde and members from the Argentine Air Force attended several week-long events with the U.S. Air Force to deepen bilateral defense cooperation and advance shared security priorities in the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stuart Bright)
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach hosted Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde for an official counterpart visit, May 19, to deepen bilateral defense cooperation and advance shared security priorities in the Western Hemisphere.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde pose for a photo during an a counterpart visit, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C., May 19, 2026. Valverde and members from the Argentine Air Force attended several week-long events with the U.S. Air Force to deepen bilateral defense cooperation and advance shared security priorities in the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Stuart Bright)
"It was an honor to host Argentine Air Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde here in the National Capital Region for a counterpart visit," Wilsbach said. "Deepening the defense relationship between the U.S. and Argentina advances our shared priorities that are vital to regional security and stability in the Western Hemisphere."
Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde and U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach talk during a meeting to deepen bilateral defense cooperation and advance shared security priorities in the Western Hemisphere, at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., May 19, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo)
The office call was followed by staff talks to discuss topics including force optimization, F-16 training and interoperability, and C-130 maintenance and sustainment.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde participate in a welcoming ceremony during a counterpart visit at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C.., May 19, 2026. Valverde and members from the Argentine Air Force attended several week-long events with the U.S. Air Force to deepen bilateral defense cooperation and advance shared security priorities in the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stuart Bright)
Valverde subsequently traveled to Utah for engagements at Hill Air Force Base, including meetings with Argentine foreign liaison officers, the F-16 System Program Office, and Brig. Gen. Hall Sebren, commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex. He concluded the visit at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base with a KC-135R Stratotanker maintenance briefing hosted by Maj. Gen. Daniel Boyack, adjutant general of Utah, and Brig. Gen. Chris Buckner, assistant adjutant general for Air.
Source: U.S.Air Force
