HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --
(Editor’s note: Last names are being withheld due to operational security constraints)
Since 2009, more than 270 international military students including pilots and sensor operators have trained at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., where combat air power starts.
Spain is currently participating in essential training here at the MQ-9 Reaper formal training unit. The United Kingdom, Italy, Australia and French air forces have also trained at Holloman AFB.
“Here at the schoolhouse, international students get a broad understanding of how to conduct several missions ranging from close-air support to combat search-and-rescue,” said Carpt. Steven, the 29th Attack Squadron international remotely piloted aircraft training flight commander. “Once students complete the training here at Holloman, they will get mission qualified with their own operational units in order to fly real-world missions.”
Partnering with U.S. allies for training helps maintain international relations with the Air Force’s foreign partners on the battlefield. It is not uncommon for Airmen to operate alongside partner nations in theater. By training together, there is a mutual understanding of how operations are conducted, which helps break down barriers between countries.
“The most common barrier is language,” said Steven. “International students are required to meet a certain English language proficiency level prior to starting their training, but the language barrier still presents some challenges.”
At the completion of fiscal year 2017, there will be over 300 international student graduates. That number is expected to grow by 35-45 students per year for the foreseeable future.
“The training here at Holloman is excellent,” said Maj. Jaime, a Spanish air force student pilot. “In Spain, we don’t have a RPA community with the knowledge and experience that the (U.S. Air Force) has. The Air Force instructors have experience and knowledge that is of great value for us to learn from for our RPA future.”