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Al Udeid education center has wide range of learning opportunities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ciara Wymbs
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR --  Base education centers all over the world offer assistance in pursuing or completing education goals; at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, the journey to further education, continues.

The education center offers many different programs such as; Community College of the Air Force degrees, bachelor's degree programs, professional military education and upgrade training, and many other educational programs.

For those who are more apt to a classroom learning environment, the center has two college systems located here. Central Texas College and University of Maryland, University College, provide in classroom and online courses.

The center also offers more than 60 College Level Examination Program and DANTES subject standardized testing.

New at the education center, is its certification in Federal Aviation Administration testing, offering 15 different FAA exams for pilots.

One of the more sought after exams; the Airline Transportation Pilot knowledge test, that would normally cost an aviator anywhere between 150 and 300 dollars, is now offered at the AUAB education center free of charge. It is one of three locations located in the area of responsibility that has this unique ability.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Lange Payne, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron education center superintendent, said staff at the center had no idea how large the need was for this testing.

"Trying to understand the FAA lingo was a large hurdle," said Payne. "But getting support from the AUAB communications squadron and Oklahoma City was necessary in ensuring we had connectivity with the FAA servers."

"The can-do attitude of the current crew, and the desire to offer something to aviators was the major driving factor," said Payne.

The first test here was done in June; since testing began the education center has had approximately 140 pilots complete the exam.

ATP tests taken before July 31 will be graded under old requirements, after that, pilots, navigators or prospective pilots will be required to satisfy new qualifications such as practical skills flying and timed simulator training.

For more information on services provided at the education center please contact them at 437-0015.