Ghana air force military officials visited the KMC Sept. 25 through 27 to learn about the U.S. Air Force’s professional military education programs. This gave them a chance to further military relations and improve the partnership between the U.S. and Ghanaian air forces.
The tour provided Ghana air force leadership with hands-on insight into U.S. Air Force capabilities and promoted a partnership between the two nations.
“This visit is important because (it gives us the) chance to assist our partner nation to develop their own leadership, which would be conducive to supporting national interests,” said Lt. Col. John Van Steenburgh, U.S. Embassy office of security cooperation chief.
The visit gave Kisling instructors the opportunity to present training courses and professional development programs like the Noncommissioned Officer Academy and Airman Leadership School.
“The importance of our visit is to look at your (military education) and replicate that in order to empower our (enlisted force to) take up leadership positions,” said Group Capt. Mike Appiah-Agyekum, director of administration for Ghana’s air force. “The world is changing; we need to move with the world. If you don’t have quality training, you will be left behind.”
The goal for Ghana air force leaders is to build an NCO academy, much like the ones operating within the U.S. Air Force.
With help from the U.S. military, Ghana plans to develop its own professional military education program to take care of their own leadership, Van Steenburgh said.
“It’s been a great opportunity to (bring the Ghana air force leaders) to Ramstein and Kapaun,” Van Steenburgh said. “Continuing these mil-to-mil programs and the support from all the services has been fantastic.”