CAFTT Continues to Populate the New Iraqi Air Force with Personnel

TAJI, IRAQ

10.12.2007

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central           

Camp Taji, Iraq –The Coalition Air Force Transition Team, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron continues efforts to populate the new Iraqi air force with a combined graduation consisting of four Iraqi air force maintenance officers, five maintenance supervisors, eight fuels supervisors and 54 enlisted flight line security forces personnel from the Basic Technical Training course of the Iraqi Air Force Training School held here, Oct. 11.

"They say we are making history, but it is you who are making history," said Master Sgt. Kent C. Cundy, master of ceremonies. "We've provided you the tools to build your air force, now it's up to you to continue it", he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark "Jed" Ponti, 370 ETS acting commander, deployed from the Missile Defense Agency, Pentagon, told the graduating classes that one of the highest compliments we can give a person in the U.S. is to call them a patriot. "A patriot knows that there is something more important than one's self," the Steelton, Pa., native said. "You are the first in your nation's new air force and you are the future of your country. You are all patriots, and I am honored to know you."

Brigadier General Abdul Kareem, Commandant of the Iraqi Air Force Training School, told the graduates that the school was filled with brave and skilled men who will protect Iraq and its people. "I want to thank you for your commitment and your discipline," he said.

Completing courses ranging from six weeks to eight months, the students received instruction based on U.S. Air Force training, but tailored to meet their nation's specific needs.

"Our class was very receptive of the maintenance course," said Cundy, deployed from the 372 Training Squadron, Detachment 8, Ellsworth Air Force Base. "The students really want to make it work. Most of our students have prior aircraft experience, which enabled me to learn just as much from them as they learned from me," the Mitchell, S.D., native said.

Assisting Cundy with the maintenance supervisor course were Latta, S.C., native, Maj. Byron K. Nolan, deployed from Headquarters, Air Mobility Command, Test and Evaluation Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, Virginia; and Texas City, Texas native, Senior Master Sgt. Allen, deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va.

"As an instructor, it always makes you feel good to see your students complete a course," Cundy said. "Knowing I'm a part of this historical event is very rewarding," he said.

Tech. Sgt. James A. Gill, deployed from the 364th Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and Tech. Sgt. James L. Henderson, deployed from the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron, taught the Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants course both agree they learned a lot from their students too.

"Our students' previous experience plus what we've taught them are the foundation of POL in the Iraqi air force", said Tech. Sgt. Gill, who is from Bakersfield, Calif.

"We will improve our course for those to come," added Tech. Sgt. Henderson, who is from Albany, Ga.

Training the first enlisted corps of the Iraqi air force are Master Sgt. Shawna M. Mills, deployed from F.E. Warren Air Force Base; and Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Bishop, deployed from Headquarters, Air Education and Training Command, Security Forces Training Branch, San Antonio, Texas.

"It is rewarding for both the instructor and the students to see this day," said Master Sgt. Bishop who is also a San Antonio, Texas, native. Culturally, we've learned as much from them as they have learned from us. I am very optimist that these "Janood" (enlisted airmen) are ready to secure the operational resources of the Iraqi air force," he said.

Mills, a Mesick, Mich. native, commented on how impressed she was on how far the "Janood" have come. "We started from nothing and to see this outcome, it's amazing!"

• Date Taken: 10.12.2007
• Date Posted: 10.12.2007 10:03
• Story ID: 12885
• Location: TAJI, IQ