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JBSA News
NEWS | Aug. 9, 2022

IAAFA takes professional military education courses to Colombia

37th Training Wing Public Affairs

Instructors from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland traveled to Colombia in May to deliver the academy’s mobile version of its Professional Military Education courses.   

Approximately 40 members of the Colombian Air Force, Army, and Navy, as well as five Airmen with the Language Enabled Airman Program attended the six-week Inter-American Squadron Officer Course and Inter-American Non-Commissioned Officer course. These programs immerse students in leadership, team building and management themes through in-classroom and field events. 

Master Sgt. Angel Rivera, one of the IAAFA instructors, noted that “the students enjoyed the course elements and the opportunity to work together as officer and enlisted leaders.” 

 “Adding U.S. Air Force students is not only a unique experience for our military members, but it also increases interoperability,” said Master Sgt. Victor Alvarez, 837th Training Squadron senior enlisted leader. “There is also a logistical advantage to our partner nation by allowing us to bring the course to them and allow for more students to learn the curriculum.” 

The courses culminated with a graduation ceremony where Brig. Gen. Edgar Falla, Chief of Aeronautical and Space Education of the Colombian Air Force, served as the guest speaker. 

While IAAFA is primarily an in-residence institution, mobile training teams give partner nations more training opportunities and allows the Academy to further support the National Defense Strategy and U.S. Air Force security cooperation objectives.