Iraqi Air Force Training School holds back-to-back graduations
CAMP TAJI, Iraq --
Twenty eight more Iraqi officer candidates received their diplomas and commissions as second lieutenants at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here Monday, while the first Iraqi 10 firefighters graduated Tuesday.
The commissioning candidates excelled in areas to include military drill, athletics, combat skills, followership, leadership and aviation fundamentals.
During the ceremony, three distinguished graduates were recognized for having the highest overall performance in military bearing and leadership, academics, athletics and intangible qualities observed in new officers and leaders.
"It is a wonderful opportunity to watch the continuous growth of the Iraqi air force," said Col. David C. Penny, 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group commander. "It is truly incredible to see how far officer training in Iraq has come in a year. These young men will now go forth and lead the Iraqi air force and have an honorable future."
The Iraqi Air Force Academy has graduated a total of 39 second lieutenants since starting classes April 15, 2007.
The firefighter graduation marked another first in the milestones of accomplishments for the Iraqi Air Force Training School. The 240-hour, 60-day course consisted of emergency first responder training, fire fighting fundamentals, structural fire fighting principles, structural fire ground operations, hazardous materials awareness training and aircraft firefighting principles.
"For the Iraqi firefighters, the graduation ceremony denotes the capability of the Iraqi Air Force to become an independent and viable force," said instructor, Master Sgt. Philip Fourroux, who is deployed from the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla. "Working with the Iraqi students was a great experience, seeing them grasp and understand the concepts we were teaching left me and my fellow instructor Master Sergeant Matthew Simmons with a great feeling of success and new-found kinship with our new brother firefighters."
Calling the group "stars," Iraqi Air Force Training School Commandant Iraqi Brigadier General Abdul Kareem said, "This group of firefighters has finished the scientific training and will be evidence of what our school can do."
Lieutenant Col. Kim "Felix" Hawthorne, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron commander, told the graduates, "As firefighters, you now have the courage to act, and the skills to fight fires, save lives, and protect valuable Iraqi air force aircraft and assets,"
Witnessing an Iraqi graduation for the first time, Col. Merrill Armstrong, 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group vice commnander said, "It was a great thing to see the firefighter class graduate the technical training course. It is another step for the Iraqi air force. It was heart warming to see the pride, determination and happiness in their eyes. They are truly blazing a trail for the Iraqi air force."
The commissioning candidates excelled in areas to include military drill, athletics, combat skills, followership, leadership and aviation fundamentals.
During the ceremony, three distinguished graduates were recognized for having the highest overall performance in military bearing and leadership, academics, athletics and intangible qualities observed in new officers and leaders.
"It is a wonderful opportunity to watch the continuous growth of the Iraqi air force," said Col. David C. Penny, 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group commander. "It is truly incredible to see how far officer training in Iraq has come in a year. These young men will now go forth and lead the Iraqi air force and have an honorable future."
The Iraqi Air Force Academy has graduated a total of 39 second lieutenants since starting classes April 15, 2007.
The firefighter graduation marked another first in the milestones of accomplishments for the Iraqi Air Force Training School. The 240-hour, 60-day course consisted of emergency first responder training, fire fighting fundamentals, structural fire fighting principles, structural fire ground operations, hazardous materials awareness training and aircraft firefighting principles.
"For the Iraqi firefighters, the graduation ceremony denotes the capability of the Iraqi Air Force to become an independent and viable force," said instructor, Master Sgt. Philip Fourroux, who is deployed from the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla. "Working with the Iraqi students was a great experience, seeing them grasp and understand the concepts we were teaching left me and my fellow instructor Master Sergeant Matthew Simmons with a great feeling of success and new-found kinship with our new brother firefighters."
Calling the group "stars," Iraqi Air Force Training School Commandant Iraqi Brigadier General Abdul Kareem said, "This group of firefighters has finished the scientific training and will be evidence of what our school can do."
Lieutenant Col. Kim "Felix" Hawthorne, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron commander, told the graduates, "As firefighters, you now have the courage to act, and the skills to fight fires, save lives, and protect valuable Iraqi air force aircraft and assets,"
Witnessing an Iraqi graduation for the first time, Col. Merrill Armstrong, 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group vice commnander said, "It was a great thing to see the firefighter class graduate the technical training course. It is another step for the Iraqi air force. It was heart warming to see the pride, determination and happiness in their eyes. They are truly blazing a trail for the Iraqi air force."
