IAAFA continues to expand security cooperation initiatives
Posted 6/22/2011
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by Kathryn Gustafson
Language, Region and Culture Program Office
6/22/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force has implemented education and training institutions such as the Defense Language Institute English Language Center and the Inter-American Air Forces Academy to meet the demand for security cooperation initiatives, officials said here June 20.
"Graduates of IAAFA build relationships that develop into partnerships throughout their military careers," said Barbara Barger, the Air Force senior language authority.
She added that each year, the academy graduates more than 800 students through its in-resident program and an additional 150 to 200 at nonresident locations.
For more than 60 years, IAAFA has trained military members from Latin America and the Caribbean, but unlike any other Air Force institution, officials said, IAAFA conducts training in Spanish.
"When students come to IAAFA, they engage with instructors on various functions throughout their academic stay and within the Air Force and civilian communities; it's part of their development plan," said Senior Master Sgt. David Pantojas, the IAAFA superintendent. "The base is conducive to building partnerships."
Heidi Grant, the international affairs deputy undersecretary of the Air Force, said IAAFA offers the unique ability to have real-time, sustained interaction with brother and sister airmen from Latin America, across a wide range of ranks and grades.
"The interpersonal relationships and camaraderie fostered at this unique academy serve both the U.S. Air Force and other air forces in the hemisphere in our common goal of security and providing a better life for the citizens of the respective nations we serve," she said.
From professional military education and leadership development to technical training, the students are equipped with the skills to more effectively meet their career field requirements and development plans.
"IAAFA is 'the Americas' academy,' and the U.S. Air Force's premier leader in creating lasting bonds through world-class education and training," said Lt. Col. Reyes Colón, the IAAFA commandant.
Recently, IAAFA opened two courses to U.S. Air Force personnel: the International Noncommissioned Officer Academy and International Squadron Officer School. This year, two U.S. Air Force technical sergeants attended INCOA in Colombia, a first for IAAFA.
Academy officials plan to graduate eight U.S. Air Force NCOs through the in-resident INCOA program in 2011.
Sergeant Pantojas touted the INCOA course in Colombia, as a great success, and IAAFA officials plan to deliver the program to other partner nations in the region in 2012.
In the U.S., IAAFA officials announced plans to move to the academy's new $18 million, 85,000 square foot, environmentally friendly airfield training complex at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in October 2011.
"The new hangar complex is a big leap forward for us in providing a modern, environmentally friendly teaching facility that allows our NCOs to showcase their skill sets and experience," said Lt. Col. Cliff Rich, 318th Training Squadron commander. "Rather than six separate buildings, the academy will now conduct all training within one central location." |
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