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CAFTT generates second batch of graduates

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --  Air Force instructor pilots and contractors from the Coalition Air Force Training Team sit smiling and proud in an audience; similar to gathering families who attend an American college commencement, bearing witness to a new group of Iraqi fixed-wing student pilots and "IP" graduates, Feb. 19.

After countless hours of training with its inherent struggles and rewards, for a second time in four months American IPs are watching as their own former student pilots join Iraq's operational Air Force.

"Dozens of U.S. Air Force Airmen have spent years away from their families to give these young pilots the instruction and mentoring that have allowed them to reach this point," said Lt. Col. Nathan Brauner, 52nd EFTS commander. "Their influence, guidance and sacrifice will be reflected in the future of the Iraqi Air Force through these new pilots."

It makes me very proud to be part of that effort, said the Northridge, Calif., native, deployed from Randolph AFB, Texas.

Air Force instructor pilot Maj. Lance Wilkins, deployed from Ramstein AB, Germany, relates to his students' endeavors.

Before and even during training, the students experience unfortunate incidents in their personal lives, the Houston, Texas, native said, referring to the dangers families and friends face from insurgency. "But it strengthens their want to serve their country.

"It reminds me of myself during my pilot training, wanting to serve my country," he said. "There will always be a struggle."

Another instructor pilot, Maj. Jon Greuel, deployed from Tinker AFB, Okla., said teaching Iraqi students requires flexibility.

"Having taught students that didn't speak English as a primary language in the past, I try not to use a lot of American slang, and to communicate in a suffinct manner," said the Blackduck, Minn., native.

"I try to allow for more repetition and hands-on learning rather than lengthy explanations," he said.

"The challenges I didn't expect were those involving their lack of stability stemming from the violence in the country," he said. "It is a real distraction for students who witness bombings while going back home on holidays."

Watching Iraq's newest pilots standing at attention to receive their pilot wings from Iraq's Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Anwar Hamad Amen Ahmed, it would be easy to believe this was the highlight of the students' training experience.

Not for graduate 2nd Lt. Ali Sabah.

"It wasn't so big," as he compared it to the day he took his final check ride.

"After the flight, my instructor pilot took off his wings and gave it to me," said Lieutenant Sabah.

"My instructor pilot said, 'You're all done, man. You're a pilot right now,' he said. "It was a beautiful day."

The Iraqi Air Force's newest instructor pilots will be put to work quickly, laying a foundation for future successes.

Colonel Brauner said bringing the top graduates back as Iraqi instructor pilots will be the key to long-term health of the training wing.

A new, larger group of 29 student pilots is scheduled to begin soon, graduating next year.

"There are challenges," said Colonel Brauner. "Instructor manning is one challenge. As our enrollment grows, we need to be training not just the new students, but new instructors as well. There's simply no shortcut to building an experienced instructor - whether it's in an aircraft or in a classroom."