Inter-American NCO Academy opens to U.S. NCOs

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LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Two Airmen are making history as the first Air Force NCOs to attend the Inter-American Air Forces Academy's Inter-American NCO Academy.

In addition to earning NCO academy enlisted professional military education credit, Tech. Sgts. Leonardo Cepero Febres and George Nikolakakos are studying alongside NCOs from Guatemala, Peru and Honduras. They are learning traditional NCOA objectives while building partnerships and learning about the Latin American NCOs and their perspectives. But, they are participating in a non-traditional way.  INCOA courses are conducted in Spanish.

According to Chief Master Sgt. Andres Alvarez, IAAFA superintendent, admitting Air Force NCOs into the Spanish-speaking course supports the priorities of top Air Force leaders while enhancing relationships with Latin American countries.

"Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy visited IAAFA in June," Chief Alvarez said. "During the tour, he pointed out (Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz's) priority to increase (Air Force) cross-cultural competence and capabilities by creating and strengthening coalition and partner nation relationships. Including NCOs in the INCOA aligns with that priority.

"The experience will give our NCOs an invaluable immersion," he said.  "They will get firsthand knowledge of our partner nations' military, political and cultural issues that impact our Inter-American relationships. The NCOs will learn that we are all Americans with common problems."

The chief added that while studying and learning leadership principles together, the Airmen will form important career-long bonds. Those relationships will go a long way, ultimately contributing to strengthening partner nation alliances and supporting humanitarian missions in the Western Hemisphere.

Air Force NCOs also will begin attending in-country INCOA courses in Bogota, Colombia, and Mexico City in 2011. According to Chief Alvarez, Senior Master Sergeants Jesus Compean and Benjamin Miranda, and Master Sgt. Samuel Nunez are the linchpin PME instructors who are making the vision of the U.S. Air Force leadership-building partnership a reality.

The chief said the program will promote joint and coalition force education and acculturation. This experience also will give Airmen an opportunity to understand Latin American military and civilian culture.

"IAAFA's goal is to teach the INCOA curriculum while sharing the knowledge, skills and abilities of Air Force NCOs with Latin American partners," he said.

NCOs interested in attending the INCOA must meet Air Force quality-forces standards for enlisted professional military education attendance. They must have a Community College of the Air Force degree and must have some fluency in the Spanish language.

Air Force Personnel Center enlisted PME scheduling is the primary office for eligibility and selection notification.

For more information, contact IAAFA at IAAFA.CCEInbox@us.af.mil.

(Courtesy of the Inter-American Air Force Academy)