U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, will head the U.S. official delegation to the International Air and Space Fair FIDAE in Santiago March 29 to April 3. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team will perform precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the world’s only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft and will be joined by static displays of the C-130 Hercules, the C-17 Globemaster, and the MQ-1B Predator. A Transport Isolation System, which has the ability to transport multiple patients affected by highly contagious diseases, including Ebola, will also be on display. A B-52 Stratofortress will conduct a fly-by on April 2.
The USAF Academy Skydiving Team, Wings of Blue, will showcase their talents, while representatives from the Texas National Guard will also be in attendance as part of the Chile-Texas State National Guard Partnership Program. Finally, over 95 U.S companies, representing civil and commercial aviation, defense, aerospace technologies, and airport services will be exhibiting at the U.S. Pavilion, organized by Kallman Worldwide.
During her visit to Chile, Secretary James will engage in several outreach activities. On March 29 she will participate in a panel discussion entitled “Women in Defense, Aviation and Technology” at 15:00 at the Sala 1 of the Conference Center. The panel will be moderated by Boeing’s Latin American President Ambassador Donna Hrinak and include representatives from the Chilean Armed Forces, Embraer, and LAN Airlines. Secretary James will also meet with Chilean female high school students to discuss her experience as a female professional in the fields of engineering and aviation. USAF crewmembers and pilots will also welcome children from Teletón and Make-a-Wish Chile Foundation for a guided tour of U.S. aircraft, as well as for a visit to the U.S. pavilion.
Secretary James
Deborah Lee James took office as Secretary for the Air Force in 2013. In this position, she oversees the Air Forces’ annual budget and is responsible for the department’s affairs, including training, equipping of nearly 664,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian airmen and their families.
Ms. James has 30 years of experience in the federal government and the private sector. She has served as a professional staff member on the Armed Services Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as senior advisors to the Secretary of Defense served, in the Pentagon, on all matters pertinent to the National Guard and Reserve personnel worldwide, during the Clinton Administration. She was President of the Technical and Engineering Sector at Science Applications International Corporation, Vice President of International Operations and Marketing at United Technologies in Washington, D.C.; and Senior Vice President C4IT Business Unit General Manager, among other positions.
