Iraqi students attend safety course

  • Published
  • By Gwen Dooley
  • Air Force Safety Center
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --  For the first time, four Iraqi students were welcomed to the International Flight Safety Officer Course by Maj. Gen. Fred Roggero, the Air Force chief of safety and Air Force Safety Center commander. The attendance of these four officers marks Iraq as the 80th country to send representatives to the USAF's international safety course.

During the course, the international aviators receive education and training on topics such as mishap prevention, program management, safety principles, mishap investigation techniques, material factors and human factors. The students also participate in cultural events to aid their understanding of American life.

"It's great that our international aviator allies attend this advanced course because it means they'll have the right tools to build a superb aviation safety program back home once they graduate," General Roggero said. 

Allied aviators attend the IFSO course because they are responsible for managing their country's aviation safety program. 

Mr. Jeff Thomas, instructor supervisor, said, "Having the Iraqis in the course is no different than having the students from the 21 other countries; they are part of the class."

General Roggero encouraged the students to maintain the relationships that they build throughout this 8-week course, saying, "All of our allied nations will benefit now, and in the future, as we work toward our goal as a team to save lives and preserve our unique combat capabilities."