International student training requests increase

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Amber Millerchip
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  The business of training international students is booming for a small unit here.

Requests for globetrotting teams from the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron have skyrocketed in recent months with the expansion of the global war on terrorism.

Already this year, AFSAT is ahead of pace to previous years' numbers. Since October, 46 requests for training teams have come in. In 2002, 105 teams were sent to 48 countries to provide training. Those numbers increased in 2003 to 160 teams traveling to 56 countries.

Training is part of the overall mission of AFSAT, an Air Education and Training Command unit that serves as the sole Air Force agency for planning and scheduling professional, flying and technical training for international students.

"Our mission is to provide training for our allies, whoever and wherever they are," said Jim Aycock, AFSAT team manager. "This training helps them maintain a democratic society in their own area and preserves their freedom."

Despite carrying a large workload and conducting training on a global scale, a mere 100 people manage the international air and space training mission.

AFSAT annually trains nearly 5,000 students from more than 120 countries. Most of these international students train side by side with U.S. Air Force students in a variety of settings and locations.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, as the demand for U.S.-manufactured weaponry has increased, so has the need for training to effectively operate that equipment.

When Chile recently purchased F-16 Fighting Falcons from the United States, the aircraft and associated equipment were only one aspect of the purchase. Training, maintenance and other logistical components were equally important, with AFSAT delivering the vital training component.

According to Master Sgt. Rich Trujillo, superintendent of international training teams, AFSAT greatly influences security around the world.

"We work directly with these other forces helping to close the combat-capabilities gap between the U.S. and many of our allies," Sergeant Trujillo said. "This helps them acquire the capability necessary to help fight the war on terrorism."

Increased foreign capability is not the only benefit. Working with other countries also strengthens relationships while supporting U.S. national objectives.

"The most interesting aspect of working at AFSAT is that every day the 100 people in this squadron work with people from all over the world," said Linda Aslett, AFSAT deputy director. "I like to think we help build better relations as we work our training programs. In many cases, we develop friendships with the people we work with in these countries."

Although most training takes place in the United States, the mobile training teams, or MTTs, lead efforts throughout the world, bringing training directly to requesting nations with topics ranging from pilot training to AIDS prevention.

A personnel mobile team member, 1st Lt. Alexandria Czerniak, recently returned from a trip to South America where she performed a site survey and conducted on-the-job-training programs. She also works daily with international students from 23 Sub-Saharan African countries.

"I believe the training MTTs provide to all these different countries fosters a good working relationship and gives the country a better understanding of our operations," Lieutenant Czerniak said. "These countries get to see how we do business in our military and what we expect from our men and women wearing the uniform. This training not only enhances our relationships but also builds a better line of communication with these countries."

Col. Stephen Brummond, AFSAT commander, said his unit conducts "one of the most exciting and rewarding missions I've been involved with. We help build the strategic relationships so important to our national security strategy." (Courtesy of AETC News Service)