The price is right for international relations Published March 14, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau 321st Air Expeditionary Wing BAGHDAD -- Four trainers from the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management, a Department of Defense organization based out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, have taught U.S. and Iraqi Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel about security cooperation management and foreign military sales. The trainers spent almost three weeks teaching multiple classes on the security cooperation program ranging from an introduction, to refreshers teaching users the advanced features of the system. "[The program] emphasizes relationship and capability and does not just focus on turning over equipment," said Dr. Ernie McCallister, DISAM professor and director of international studies. The foreign military sales program is a way for foreign nations to purchase equipment, services and training from the U.S. government. "This training is very important for our Iraqi air force staff," said staff Lt. Gen. Anwer, Iraqi air force commander. General Anwer even went so far as to require higher leadership to attend the training. This helps build government relations and provides a way the U.S. can help the Iraqi military and benefit the American economy at the same time. The DISAM team has provided the training for the last five years. It originally started with one class a year and has expanded in the last three years to having a team come out bi-annually and provide training through multiple classes. In fact, this year they provided training for more people than they originally anticipated. Maj. Tony Silvera and his team from Iraq Training and Advisor Mission-Air knew they had individuals who needed the training and requested the DISAM team come out to the Victory Base Complex during their planned trip to Iraq and provide ITAM-Air advisors familiarization training. Along the way to scheduling the class for U.S. Air Force members, they came up with a way to take it up a notch. "The original plan was for them to train ITAM-Air advisors. It was then brought up that it would be a great opportunity to train the Iraqi [air force]," said Major Silvera, deployed from Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Through coordination with the Iraq Security Assistance Mission, Major Silvera's team set up training days and locations to bring the training to the Iraqi air force. While the class organized by Major Silvera's team only provided one day of training for their Iraqi counterparts, it was important because it furnished a base for them to fall back on when they use the FMS program. The biggest goal is to train the Iraqi military so they can use the system themselves, which will ultimately lead to self-sufficiency. "Whether we are training Iraqi airmen, purchasing more equipment or maintaining our current equipment, our headquarters officers must know how to use FMS to increase our ability to defend the people of Iraq," General Anwer said.