Joint Base San Antonio > News

80 things you didn’t know about IAAFA
April 3, 2023 — The Inter-American Air Forces Academy celebrated its 80th anniversary March 15. IAAFA’s history goes back to 1943 when it was established as the Central and South American Air School at the request of General Fernando Melgar, Peru’s minister of Aeronautics. The school offered the first aeronautics training in Latin America. ... MORE

Two men work to remove old old paint from wood

Partner nation guest instructor becomes first to earn AETC master instructor designation
March 7, 2023 — For the first time in the Inter-American Air Forces Academy’s 80-year history, a partner nation guest instructor has earned the master instructor badge, the highest Air Education and Training Command’s instructor qualification... MORE

Col. José Jimenez, Jr., Commandant of the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, holds speaks to Intendente Jefe Alexander Pacheco of Colombia’s National Police, at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, Feb. 17, 2023. Pacheco, a partner nation guest instructor at IAAFA, recently earned the Air Education Training Command Master Instructor designation. He is the first international member to earn master instructor, which is the highest honor one can earn as an instructor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Vanessa R. Adame)

IAAFA leaders visit Paraguay in strategic visit
October 14, 2022 — Inter-American Air Forces Academy leaders met with Paraguayan Air Force officials in a strategic visit to Paraguay, Sept. 14-16. Col. José Jiménez, Jr., IAAFA commandant and Chief Master Sgt. Emilio Avila, IAAFA Senior Enlisted Leader, visited with Gen. Arturo Gonzalez Ocampo, Commander of the Paraguayan Air Force, Col. Jorge Ramirez, commander of the Flying Training Group, and Brig. Gen. Roberto José Idoyaga Benitez, commander of the Aeronautical Training Command... MORE

Three men stand side-by-side, all standing at attention. A group of military members are standing behind them.

IAAFA implements Women, Peace, and Security into curriculum
September 1, 2022 — The Inter-American Air Forces Academy is leading efforts to integrate a national framework into its curriculum that promotes the safety, equality and meaningful contributions of women... MORE

IAAFA takes professional military education courses to Colombia
August 9, 2022 — 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. ... MORE

IAAFA professional military education center garners top Air Force award
May 16, 2022 — Consistency, hard work and dedication. That’s what Capt. Yaira Saroli, flight commander of the 837th Training Squadron, points to as the reason for the Inter-American Air Forces Academy winning the Air Force’s Enlisted Professional Military Center of the Year Award... MORE

Instructors stand outside IAAFA headquarters with flags flying in background

IAAFA celebrates 79 years, unveils heritage wall
April 8, 2022 — The Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland recently celebrated its 79th anniversary with dozens of cadre, staff, and international military students... MORE

IAAFA staff look at photos on heritage wall

IAAFA Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance course gets update
April 6, 2022 — Prospective U.S. and partner nation students attending the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance course at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland will find a newly updated course... MORE

IAAFA students take notes at their desks

IAAFA moves to implement Women, Peace, and Security initiatives across academy
February 28, 2022 — A global effort that aims to empower women and examine the needs of women and children in conflict is gaining momentum at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

IAAFA instructors speak to Jennifer Typrowicz

Partner nation students attend basic military training graduation
October 18, 2021 — More than 100 international military students from partner nations across the Western Hemisphere gathered at the Pfingston Reception Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Oct. 7 to watch nearly 700 trainees become Airmen and Guardians... MORE

CMSgt Gaitan speaks to international students.

IAAFA sends mobile training team to Jamaica
September 24, 2021 — Twelve years since their last engagement in Jamaica, the Inter-American Air Forces Academy returned to the country June 14-25 to instruct its Defence Force during Mobile Training Team 21-15... MORE

Jamaican service member on shore with survival equipment and ships in background.

International enlisted leaders focus on ‘Building an Airman’
August 19, 2021 — A sea of multi-colored military uniforms and the sounds of several languages were the backdrops for the Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit, held in San Antonio Aug. 9-13. The SELIS, co-hosted by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass and the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, brought together approximately 120 top enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 44 partner nations... MORE

Despite COVID-19, IAAFA continues its mission uninterrupted
March 30, 2021 — The number of international students at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy decreased by more than half when COVID-19 struck the nation nearly one year ago. Despite the new operating environment, IAAFA leadership quickly adapted and vectored its members and missions to maintain uninterrupted support to partner nations and the 37th Training Wing... MORE

During COVID-19, IAAFA maintained uninterrupted support to partner nations and the 37th Training Wing.

IAAFA wins enlisted PME center award
December 10, 2020 — The Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was formally presented with the United States Air Force's 2019 Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education Program, Outstanding EPME Center of the Year Award Dec. 4... MORE

The Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was formally presented with the United States Air Force's 2019 Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education Program, Outstanding EPME Center of the Year Award Dec. 4.

IAAFA wins 2019 EPME Center of the Year Award
July 24, 2020 — The Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland received the 2019 Enlisted Professional Military Education Center of the Year Award from Headquarters Air Force June 17. ... MORE

International and American service members, Professional Military Education instructors, pose for a photo at the IAAFA headquarters building. From left to right, Major Ronand Castillo from El Salvador, Major Marcio Teixeira from Brazil, Major Eduardo Barajas, a flight commander from the US Air Force, Master Sgt. Aguedo Mendez a flight chief from the US Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. Elvis Garcia from Peru, and Master Sgt. Edwin Lara from Honduras.