Center enhances Air Force linguists' skills

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Malinda Singleton
  • Air Intelligence Agency Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AFPN) --  As Air Force operations continue around the globe, the need for linguists dedicated to Air Force and joint missions has never been greater or more important. Air Force linguists operating on the ground and in the air make up a critical component of the nation's intelligence mission.

The success of Air Force operations can hinge on their ability to determine not merely what was said, but what was meant. That kind of language ability only comes from training and practice and had been missing from the linguist tool kit until the creation of the first dedicated Air Force language learning center in January 2005 at Offutt Air Force Base.

Before the LLC opened, airborne linguists did not have a centralized training area for language classes or the multimedia resources necessary to maintain their skill-level. The LLC brings all that and more to help them maintain and enhance their skills.

"This facility is great because we, as airborne linguists under the new career field education and training plan, have a lot more requirements for language training that tie into advancements and skill levels, which means promotions," said Master Sgt. Mark Hoskins, Air Intelligence Agency Command Language Office at Lackland AFB, Texas. "For a lot of folks, they need to be able to maintain their skill level in order to remain in this career field, and even the Air Force."

The center currently is holding classes in 10 different languages: Chinese Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Persian Farsi, Russian, Spanish, Hebrew, Serbo-Croatian, Pashto, and Dari. The classes are four weeks long and are taught by Defense Language Institute Mobile Training Team instructors from Monterey, Calif.

The LLC houses a resource center with hardcopy and multimedia learning materials in 57 languages, along with a variety of self-paced learning programs. The library also has 22 computer workstations that students can use to access foreign language or language-related Web sites, and participate in interactive on-line classes. 

Sergeant Hoskins said that, "with current missions and operations at such a high tempo, many linguists were finding it hard to stay up to date with their training. As soon as they returned from a deployment, they were sent TDY to the Defense Language Institute for refresher courses in their language specialty. With the creation of this center, they are able to remain at home with their families."

Another advantage to the center is the instructors' ability to provide tailored language training to focus on an individual Airman's needs. Since it opened its doors, the LLC has trained more than 200 airborne and ground linguists, along with linguists from other services, and civilians. With five classrooms already operational and more planned, the opportunities for them to enhance their proficiency and mission readiness will continue to improve.

Units with airborne linguists, such as those at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, are able to tap into the resources the LLC offers. Instead of sending several linguists to Offutt for a class, a single instructor from the LLC can be sent to each location to teach a class on site.

Language labs, which have similar equipment to the LLC, are currently being installed at Kadena and Mildenhall to give them the tools to maintain and improve their language skills. The labs also can be used to host classes when enough linguists are available for training. With these two labs operational, eight other language labs are slated to be built in locations that need this capability.

The Air Intelligence Agency and 55th Wing at Offutt worked together to build the LLC and share responsibility for LLC funding and operations.

"Linguists' language skills are their weapon system and like all weapon systems, maintenance and improvement are key components of combat mission readiness," said Chip von Heiland, HQ AIA senior language authority.

"It is so important, in fact, a linguist who does not complete required weekly language maintenance is not considered combat mission ready and can't fly a mission," Mr. von Heiland said. "We ask these young troops to make life and death decisions every day, either for force protection or offensive operations. Countless troops on the ground have been saved from ambush by the work of these young warriors and we owe them the best training available."

Recently, the LLC had a visit from members of the House Intelligence Committee. Reps. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) received a tour of the facilities. They liked what they saw.

"I think they're hearing the message that Congress is sending that we need more, better, faster when it comes to language skills," Rep. Hoekstra said.  

Rep. Terry saw the progress, but also the need for further growth. 

"They've gone from a couple of years ago when Congress first said 'make this a priority' from 300 trainees to about 500 now," he said. "It's a mission that still requires a great deal of expansion." 

In the coming year, a DLI language training detachment will be established at Offutt. This detachment will consist of eight DLI native-speaking civilian language instructors, four DLI-trained military instructors and a DLI scheduler. An additional two classrooms, language testing area and a staff room also are being built.

Mr. von Heiland, who has been the driving force for language and culture training at AIA, is excited about what the LLC represents.

"The Offutt LLC has a bright and busy future. Linguists are a critical combat capability in the long war and GWOT. The 55th Wing and AIA commanders are committed to providing the best training available to these mission essential troops."