JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Approximately 200 students from 15 partner nations and the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force graduated from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy in a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on Dec. 4.
Students earned certificates from 20 courses in Professional Military Education and leadership, aircrew training and technical courses. The graduates celebrated their accomplishment with a ceremony and banquet joined by military and civilian leaders from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the local community.
Lt. Gen. Carlos Enrique Chavez Cateriano, the Peruvian Air Force Chief of Staff, served as the guest of honor at the evening banquet. Peruvian Air Force Senior Enlisted Leader Tecnico Supervisor Mayor Walter Silva accompanied Chavez for the graduation events.
“IAAFA is not only a military academy, it is a place where friendships and alliances are formed that transcend borders and uniforms,” Chavez said. “Graduates, you have not only learned lessons in maintenance, leadership and joint operations, but you have also gained the experience needed to return to your countries as leaders, ready to face challenges of security and defense as a shared mission with a commitment that unites us as one culture. It is essential that you value that experience because IAAFA has planted that seed in your hearts – the seed of the spirit of cooperation and brotherhood among nations.”
Top performing students were recognized at the banquet including Tecnico Tercero Luis Camavilca Correa of the Peruvian Air Force, who earned the Academic Achievement award in the enlisted category; Teniente Tecnico Avc. Vilen Medrano Lopez of Ecuadorian Air Force who won the same award in the officer category.
Col. Bryan Tuinman, IAAFA commandant, praised the students for their accomplishments and expressed pride in watching them graduate.
“The students not only faced challenges academically,” Tuinman said. “But also faced challenges with language, culture and separation from their respective families. Take the knowledge you learned at IAAFA and apply it to make your organization and those around you better.”
The Inter-American Air Forces Academy is part of the 37th Training Wing. IAAFA teaches Professional Military Education, technical training and aircrew training. It is the only Air Force institution that teaches courses in Spanish to more than 23 partner nations across the Western Hemisphere.