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Sheppard instructor trains Iraqi military to advance in communication

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarrod Chavana
  • Air Component Coordination Element Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq (AFNS) --  U.S. officials are working to rebuild Iraq and create a modern military that has the capability of defending its people and borders from enemies foreign and domestic.

The Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force has Airmen assigned to teach Iraqis how to create a self sufficient and sustaining military. One such class is the cable and antenna maintenance course, taught by Airmen from the 821st Expeditionary Training Squadron. During this 42-day course, Iraqi military students learn about communication theories, splicing cable and the improved capabilities that fiber optics can bring.

"This is the first class of its kind here, and they are making huge strides and everyone must remember they are just starting out with this kind of technology," said Staff Sgt. Gary Graf, an 821st ETS cable and antenna maintenance instructor. "This class is building a better Iraq, I want to train them and I hope I can make a difference."

Sergeant Graf was deployed to another location in Southeast Asia where he was using his fiber optics and antennas skill set when he was transferred to the 821st ETS.

"I didn't mind them asking me to come and teach, even though I only had a five-day notice," said Sergeant Graf, who is deployed from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. "I will do whatever I have to in order to complete the mission.

"Our main goal is to be advisors and train the Iraqis to be the instructors," he said. "During class there are times I find it difficult to relate theories to them and that's when my Iraqi counterpart is able to step in and explain it to them."

"This course will help further the progress of Iraq and help us catch up to the rest of the modern world," said Mahmud Hassun, a student of the class. "What I like most about fiber optics is its accuracy and the capacity of the information that it transmits. When I get back to my base I can share my experience from this class and help build it up."

More than 60,000 circuits can run through one strand of fiber optic cable, which is the thickness of a strand of hair and there are about 48 strands per cable.

"It's cool, that someday I will be able to look back and see I made a difference," Sergeant Graf said. "It's not going to be overnight, it will take time but they want to learn and they can make Iraq into a better place."