Rescue Airmen exchange knowledge, build partnerships with Colombian airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Thacker
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
PALANQUERO AIR BASE, Colombia (AFNS) --  Airmen from the rescue community at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., recently visited South America to share their knowledge in a week-long, subject-matter expert exchange with Colombian air force C-130 Hercules crews here.

Under Southern Command's Traditional Commander's Activity Program, the four members worked alongside their rescue counterparts in an effort to bring C-130 crews together, develop friendships and increase the Colombian air force's rescue power.

"The 23rd Wing has been all over the world participating in exercises and promoting Air Force rescue," said Capt. Ramon Fierros, a 71st Rescue Squadron navigator. "We are out here to promote Air Force rescue, the Air Force and good relations with the Colombian air force.

"I'm happy that I'm here to help the Colombian air force build upon their rescue capacities so they can do pretty much the same stuff we do with relation toward rescue missions," Caption Fierros said. "I'm big on (humanitarian) missions and saving lives. To share these capabilities with the Colombian air force holds a special place in my heart."

The information exchange gave Moody AFB's Airmen the opportunity to observe and advise the Colombians on their day-to-day rescue operations, such as personnel air drops, cargo drops, infiltration, and exfiltration of military and civilian personnel.

"It's very good help to exchange information on irregular conflicts and learn from the U.S. experience," said Mayor (Maj.) Alex 'King Kong' Saltarin, a Colombian air force C-130 pilot.  "The friendships we have made have helped to create a great learning environment. The American aircrews were excellent; their knowledge, professionalism and friendly attitudes lead to good operations and a free flow of information."

The knowledge exchanged will give Colombian aircrews valuable skills needed to enable them to save more lives when performing missions in the rough terrains of South America. 

"I've always admired the abilities of the U.S. Air Force," said Teniente Coronel (Lt. Col.) Mauricio Falla, the Colombian air force's director of personnel recovery. "These capabilities will allow us, as the Colombian air force, to reach an (operational) level greater then what we currently have. We can now better conduct some of our operations we do in the jungles, which (is) very critical."

Although the Airmen were invited to observe and advise the Colombian C-130 crews, the information and knowledge exchange flowed in both directions.

"I think something we can learn is flexibility," said Lt. Col. Peter Dominicis, the 347th Operations Support Squadron director of operations and aC-130 pilot for 17 years. "In the U.S. Air Force, we seem to get typecast into certain roles where they don't have those restrictions here. They have more flexibility on learning new tactics and procedures. They can just assimilate to whatever they have and make it work for them and press on.

"The Colombian air force does a lot of different missions," Colonel Dominicis added. "The crews are very capable and very well trained. However the amount of resources we have versus what they have, forces them to do a lot more with less. "

Both the American and Colombian aircrews have thousands of hours in the sky, and they agree that the information exchanged will be a great foundation for a lasting partnership between the two rescue communities.