Kisling NCO Academy hosts first international student

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Gino Mattorano
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
KAPAUN AIR STATION, Germany (AFNS) --  The Kisling Noncommissioned Officer Academy accepted its first international air force student this week as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe effort to build the capabilities of its partner nations.

Romanian air force Plutonier (technical sergeant equivalent) Diana-Cristina Mireuta will attend classes alongside her U.S Air Force NCO peers throughout the six-week course.

The International Military Education and Training program is a vital part of USAFE's security assistance, according to Maj. Robert Firman, who is the deputy chief of the Europe and Eurasia Branch, USAFE Plans and Programs Directorate.

"This is the primary way the Department of Defense reaches out to individual members of foreign militaries," Major Firman said. "The program covers a wide spectrum of training ranging from skills training to professional military education.

When working with developing nations or new members of NATO, USAFE officials use IMET to place particular emphasis on NCO development, according to Major Firman.

"We want to help these nations develop their NCO corps," he said. "Programs like this one at the Kisling NCO Academy are force multipliers. Developing professional NCOs supports every other aspect of our engagement with countries like Romania."

Plutonier Mireuta, an air traffic controller from Bucharest, Romania, is no stranger to training abroad. She attended the NATO Orientation Course in 2005 and the Air Space Control Course in Holland in 2008. She's looking forward to the opportunity to train with her fellow NCOs.

""I'm excited to be here," she said. "I will benefit from being here, and hope to share this information with other NCOs [in Romania] when I return. I've only been here a few days, but I already feel like I've learned so much."

Plutonier Mireuta, who enlisted in 2002, had a few reservations about the physical training aspect of the academy, but now that she's here and had a chance to talk with her classmates and instructors, she believes she's up to the challenge.

"I want to learn from people who are good leaders," she said.  "I want to learn from my wingmen and hopefully I will have opportunities to lead them as well."

The Kisling NCO Academy staff is excited about the chance to work with students from partner nations.

"This is a tremendous learning opportunity for the Kisling NCO Academy staff and the 143 students of Class 2010-1," said Chief Master Sgt. David Lawrence, Kisling NCO Academy commandant. "Along with the important cultural exchange, we expect to learn much about our Romanian air force NCO's enlisted culture, differences and similarities on enlisted leadership.

"Hopefully this is the catalyst to open the door for all NATO countries to send exchange technical sergeant equivalents to attend our academy," continued Chief Lawrence. "It is critical that as NATO partners, we understand and share enlisted leadership and supervisory philosophies. This experience will make our alliance stronger through education and awareness as we fight together to end the Global War on Terrorism."

A program like this naturally has the attention of USAFE leaders, and Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE's command chief, is happy to see the results of the groundwork the command staff laid over the last year.

"I had the pleasure of meeting (Plutonier) Mireuta and can say that I was very impressed with her professionalism and her enthusiastic attitude towards this extraordinary learning opportunity," Chief Derrow said. "There is no doubt that this is a historic moment for the development of strong, empowered and culturally aware NCOs.

"This is a perfect example of international military partnering. Not only does it support COMUSAFEs priority of partnering with our joint and coalition team to win today's fight, it also links to EUCOM's motto of being 'Stronger Together.'"