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Air advisors turn partners in education

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Mike Hammond
  • NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan public affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE OQAB, Afghanistan --  The young Afghan sergeant yelled out and hurried to the front of a crowded auditorium at the sound of his name. He walked down a line of senior Afghan commanders and U.S. Air Force air advisors and took his place in front of an American. He snapped to attention and loudly called out a reporting statement before receiving a bag filled with school supplies. Then, the young man turned around - beaming ear to ear - and lifted his new prize above his head triumphantly.

For the most part, in the United States and many NATO partner nations, receiving a bag of notebooks, pencils, erasers, and calculators would neither warrant a ceremony nor elicit such a happy and grateful reaction. But for junior enlisted members of the Afghan Air Force, funds are tight and every bit of help moves the soldiers, airmen, and their children that much closer to a formal education. That much closer to a brighter future for themselves and the nation they risk their lives to defend.

Families without Borders
The proud moment, which took place Aug. 25 at the Afghan Air Force Kabul Air Wing's conference center on Kabul International Airport, was months in the making.

It started in April, when NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan and 438th Air Expeditionary Wing first sergeant, Master Sgt. Grange Coffin, reached out to his fellow "shirts" in Air Force Special Operations Command and the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (25th Air Force) to see if they would spread the word about Afghan counterparts in need of educational supplies.

U.S. military personnel are well known for organizing various drives to support the communities in which they serve, but this particular effort was more like family helping family, according to Coffin.

"The intent from the beginning was to help the enlisted soldiers by giving them supplies to help their families with education," Coffin said. "We advise them and these guys are learning from us and our way of life. So by them setting an example for their kids by pursuing and valuing education, the kids will get started earlier in life."

In total, the effort produced 3,700 items -- enough school supplies for 126 soldiers to receive a bag. Speaking for the recipients, the Afghan Air Force's senior enlisted leader extended his gratitude.

"I deeply appreciate those families in the United States who donated school supplies to the Air Force of Afghanistan," said Command Sergeant Major 'H' (actual name withheld for his security).

The command sergeant major's recognition of the source of the gifts was echoed by the NATC-A/438 AEW command chief in his remarks to the more than 120 Afghan military members present.

"It's important to know these gifts are not from us, but from the American people," said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Lumpkin. "They send us gifts all the time to comfort us, but they also care deeply about the people of Afghanistan. They want to make sure you have the supplies you need."

Advisors pitch in
Far from a senior leader-centric event, the actual presentation of the school supplies reflected the close relationship between the U.S. Air Force air advisors and their Afghan counterparts.

"From the time the supplies started arriving in the mail to the time we distributed them, a number of advisors helped out. They helped collect the boxes, sort the supplies, package them up, and transport them to be ready to present," Coffin said. "And we wanted to put our air advisors out front and have them present supplies to Afghan troops who hold similar job specialties - it was just another way to further the relationships we are building."

One of the advisors, Master Sgt. Derrick Roberts, was struck by the joy he witnessed as he presented the gifts.

"The experience of being in a position to help is always a great one," Roberts said. "What was more special about today's experience was the audience. Oftentimes, when giving, it's hard to gauge the appreciation of those who are receiving, but today, that was not the case. Each member of the Afghan Air Force/Afghan National Army was truly appreciative. I could see it in their eyes, and feel it as they approached the stage and we shook hands. Many even gave a loud 'battle cry' and held their bags in the air, displaying their appreciation."

Continuous improvement
The gift of school supplies, in this advisory environment, rises above a mere charitable or friendly gesture. It's more like feeding a fire and watching it grow. As the young sergeant proudly posed for a photo with his new gear and walked out of the auditorium, the advisors of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan recognized something familiar in his look of excitement.

"Since I arrived here, I have witnessed our counterparts improve tremendously," Lumpkin said. "They are impressive learners and are becoming more proficient in their tasks every single day - as they improve their own warfighting capabilities and those of the Afghan Air Force. The excitement we witnessed today over these school supplies just shows their enthusiasm for continued improvement in their lives."

"For me, there is no greater feeling than being a part of something bigger than myself and being able to make a lasting impression in someone's heart and life," Roberts said. "Today, I'm certain that we did just that!"



Editor's note: This effort would not have been possible without the support of the following individuals, who organized the supply drive: SMSgt Brian Jumper, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas; MSgt Katherine Grabham, Hurlburt Field, Florida; MSgts David Mason and Braderick Adams, Fort Meade, Maryland; MSgt Ruby Tilley, Cannon AFB, New Mexico; MSgt Michael Howerton, Fort Gordon, Georgia; SSgt Angela Gammage, Ramstein AB, Germany; SrA Brooke Grillo, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom.