Expeditionary Center Airmen host Yemen air force student

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Thomas R. Fiori
  • Air Force Mobility Operations School
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (AFNS) --  Airmen from the Air Force Expeditionary Center here recently hosted a Yemen air force officer as part of the International Military Education and Training Program.

The training is a component of Air Force officials' efforts to build the counterterrorism capacity of its international partners.

Yemeni air force Capt. Abdurabu Al Matari joined 10 Air Force maintenance officers attending the two-week Mobility Air Forces Advanced Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at the Expeditionary Center.

The course provides frontline maintenance officers with in-depth training in aircraft and equipment maintenance management, expeditionary planning, total force integration, global maintenance support, emergency management, safety and personnel administration.

International students like Captain Al Matari get insight into the processes and systems used by Airmen to maintain complex weapons systems.

"Captain Al Matari's experience and insights were a great addition to the course. He provided a unique opportunity for our MAF maintenance officers to learn from this exchange," said Gary Miller, the maintenance officer course director.

Captain Al Matari has 13 years experience in the Yemeni air force as a helicopter electrician and flight engineer. In his current assignment he is responsible for maintaining two Bell 214 Super-Transport helicopters flown by Yemen's president and other high-ranking officials.

Captain Al Matari's training in the United States began seven months ago at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, with three months at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center, followed by 10 weeks in Basic Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at Sheppard AFB, Texas, before heading to the Expeditionary Center for advanced maintenance management training.

Upon his return home, Captain Al Matari said he plans to apply the information he learned to improve operations in his maintenance unit in Yemen.

"Your use of technology is amazing. I have enjoyed my stay in America very much and have learned so much from you," Captain Al Matari said.