Pilots serve as instructors in Saudi Arabia Published Aug. 16, 2010 By Caitlin Fairchild 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- Six pilots with the United States Military Training Mission Air Force Division here embedded at several Royal Saudi Air Force bases to train, advise and assist Saudi Arabian pilots in their operations, all to support the common interest of both nations. The Airmen say some knowledge of Arabic is hugely beneficial. "It helps to develop friendships; it builds respect between us," said Capt. Reggie Ramsey, an F-15 Strike Eagle adviser for the 55th Fighter Squadron at Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia. These operations have taken five of the USMTM pilots and their Saudi Arabian counterparts to Nellis Air Force Base for 40 days as they participate in the Red Flag 10-4 and Green Flag 10-9 training missions. While this is the third Red Flag exercise for the RSAF, this will be their first participation in a Green Flag exercise. "This is not their first time coming to the United States, but we are here to guide them along in how the United States Air Force does business," said Lt. Col. Brett Provinsky, an F-15 S adviser for the 6th Squadron in Khamis Mushayt. "They're here to learn from the variety of international players and integrate as much as they can." Prior to the Red Flag mission, the 92nd Operational Squadron in Dharan, Saudi Arabia, the lead F-15 S squadron, completed a two-week practice exercise, replicating the Red Flag schedule in order to prepare for the official exercise at Nellis Air Force Base. The Airmen have augmented the Red Flag and Green Flag missions with other lessons. In between exercises, they taught the RSAF pilots the U.S. air traffic control system and conducted independent low-altitude training missions above Utah, Arizona and California. The pilots' year-long tenure in Saudi Arabia has also served as a learning experience for the pilots of USMTM. "Working and interacting with a foreign air force has definitely been eye-opening," said Maj. Anson Stephens, an F-15 S adviser for the 92nd Operational Squadron in Dharan. "The language barrier is a challenge, but it helps make you a better instructor." The USMTM Airmen and the RSAF are scheduled to return to Saudi Arabia Aug. 20.