CMSSF, CMSAF host SELIS 2024

Published Sept. 10, 2024
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi hosted the 2024 Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit, bringing together senior leaders from around the globe, Aug. 26-29.

The four-day summit focused on the “Spirit of Integration,” and brought together Department of Defense, NATO and more 67 allied and partner nations’ SEL counterparts to show the Department of the Air Force’s commitment to working together to overcome shared challenges.

Kenya Air Force Warrant Officer 1 Dennis Talengo poses with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi during the Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit in Washington, D.C., Aug. 27, 2024. The summit is hosting top enlisted leaders from 72 partner nations to reinforce relationships between military services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich) — Kenya Air Force Warrant Officer 1 Dennis Talengo poses with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi during the Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit in Washington, D.C., Aug. 27, 2024. The summit hosted top enlisted leaders from 72 partner nations to reinforce relationships between military services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

During the summit, Bentivegna delivered a keynote address on the changing character of war and integrated deterrence. He emphasized the importance of relying on guiding principles to maintain superiority and advantage in the space domain.

“To discourage our adversaries from any aggressive actions in the space domain, we must rely on our guiding principles that remind our Guardians to maintain our superiority and advantage every single day,” Bentivegna said. “As we expand as a Space Force and continue to grow, we want all of our partner nations to know that there is a Guardian they can turn to and continue to foster the relationships we have initiated.”

Flosi’s keynote emphasized the importance of embracing change in an era of Great Power Competition.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David A. Flosi gives a keynote address during the Senior Enlisted Leaders International Summit, Washington, D.C., Aug. 28, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo)

“We're working on a force development model that favors a completely different way of operating to deliver airpower when we need it,” Flosi said. “We're looking at building small, time and trade mission-focused teams."

Today’s global security environment is dynamically changing. Continuing to improve interoperability with allied and partner forces is essential to winning in a high-end fight of the future.

“Our primary focus is on our joint force, allies and partners,” Flosi said. “We are committed to strengthening our bonds based on shared principles and common interests. To achieve this, we plan to expand our international exchange program to find opportunities for us to not only learn from each other, but to become interchangeable and rapidly expand these efforts.”

Senior enlisted Air Force leaders from around the world visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and witness a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Aug 29, 2024. The event capped the annual Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit which brings counterparts together from around the world to reaffirm long-term and mutually beneficial relationships through information exchange. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Both Bentivegna and Flosi emphasized the vital role of the enlisted force in ensuring a safe, secure and stable future. They agreed that success can only be achieved through the development and nurturing of the enlisted force.

Bentivegna explains, “Success can only be achieved by fostering the growth and potential of our enlisted personnel and by preserving and upholding our alliances and partnerships with like-minded nations.”

As the summit concluded, Flosi emphasized the vital role of the enlisted force, stating, “We need our enlisted force to understand the important role they play, ensuring a safe, secure and stable future. We’ve seen the ability to adapt and be agile in theater operations, and how our adversaries have not been able to adapt as quickly to their own venture.”