USAF, Afghan National Army Air Corps', strengthen relationship through immersion

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Whitney
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (ACCNS) --  As part of a tour to different air force bases throughout the U.S., the command sergeant major of the Afghan National Army Air Corps recently visited Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases July 16 and 17, with the goal of increasing the working relationship between the two military forces and learning more about U.S. Air Force culture and ways to improve the ANAAC.

According to Afghan National Army Air Corps' Command Sergeant Major Abdul Malik, the most senior enlisted member of the ANAAC, the trip has been a great success thus far. "The things I have seen so far, the leadership I have seen so far is very good, and will help fix the Air Corps to be better."

Before visiting Nellis and Creech, CSM Malik traveled to Maxwell AFB, Ala., and Lackland AFB, Texas, to see the ways the U.S. Air Force integrates leadership into training environments like the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and First Sergeants Academy at Maxwell. He then traveled to Lackland to view the training that takes place at Basic Military Training and the Security Forces Technical School.

Chief Master Sgt. James Scheppard, 438th Air Expeditionary Group superintendent and senior enlisted advisor and mentor to CSM Malik, has been traveling with CSM Malik on his tour throughout the various bases to expose him to USAF leadership and discipline techniques used at each level of the enlisted tier.

" We want CSM Malik to see the level of training the U.S. Air Force provides to its enlisted members, and make this information available for him to take, modify as needed, and use within his Air Corps," said Chief Scheppard. "The purpose of our trip to Nellis and Creech is so [CSM Malik] can see all the training our Airmen receive in action."

In an effort to gain a more in depth view of the various levels of the enlisted force at Nellis, the command sergeant major observed Red Flag and Green Flag aircraft launch and recoveries, aircraft maintenance procedures and toured the Professional Development Center at Nellis where Airman Leadership School and First Term Airman's Center courses are held.

After spending a day touring Nellis facilities and getting acquainted with Nellis operations, CSM Malik ventured to Creech AFB to familiarize himself with unmanned air system operations and maintenance.

Overall, CSM Malik was impressed with the USAF enlisted force and its operations: he said the professionalism, pride and discipline demonstrated by the USAF Airmen has been exceptional.

After his visit to Nellis, CSM Malik is scheduled to travel to McChord AFB to end his tour of USAF facilities. He will then return to Afghanistan to integrate the things he has learned into his own Air Corps.