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The Kisling NCO Academy accepted its first Romanian air force student this week as part of U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s effort to build the capabilities of its partner nations.
Romanian air force Plutonier (technical-sergeant equivalent) Diana-Cristina Mireuta will attend classes alongside her U.S Air Force NCO peers throughout the six-week course.
The International Military Education and Training program is a vital part of USAFE’s security assistance, said Maj. Robert Firman, who is the deputy chief of the Europe and Eurasia Branch, USAFE Plans and Programs Directorate.
“This is the primary way the Department of Defense reaches out to individual members of foreign militaries,” said Major Firman. “The program covers a wide spectrum of training, ranging from skills training to professional military education.
When working with developing nations or new members of NATO, USAFE uses IMET to place particular emphasis on NCO development, said Major Firman.
“We want to help these nations develop their NCO corps,” he said. “Programs like this one at the Kisling NCO Academy are force multipliers. Developing professional NCOs supports every other aspect of our engagement with countries like Romania.”
Plutonier Mireuta, an air traffic controller from Bucharest, Romania, is no stranger to training abroad. She attended the NATO Orientation Course in 2005 and the Air Space Control Course in Holland in 2008. She’s looking forward to the opportunity to train with her fellow NCOs.
“I’m excited to be here,” she said. “I will benefit from being here, and hope to share this information with other NCOs (in Romania) when I return. I’ve only been here a few days, but I already feel like I’ve learned so much.”
Plutonier Mireuta, who enlisted in 2002, had a few reservations about the physical training aspect of the academy, but now that she’s here and had a chance to talk with her classmates and instructors, she believes she’s up to the challenge.
“I want to learn from people who are good leaders – I want to learn from my wingmen and hopefully I will have opportunities to lead them as well.”
The Kisling NCO Academy staff is excited about the chance to work with students from partner nations.
“This is a tremendous learning opportunity for the Kisling NCO Academy Staff and the 143 students of Class 2010-1,” said Chief Master Sgt. David Lawrence, Kisling NCO Academy commandant. “Along with the important cultural exchange, we expect to learn much about our Romanian air force NCO’s enlisted culture – differences and similarities on enlisted leadership.
A program like this naturally has the attention of USAFE leadership, and Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE’s command chief, is happy to see the results of the groundwork the command laid over the last year.
“I had the pleasure of meeting [Plutonier] Mireuta and can say that I was very impressed with her professionalism and her enthusiastic attitude towards this extraordinary learning opportunity,” Chief Derrow said. “There is no doubt that this is a historic moment for the development of strong, empowered and
culturally aware NCOs.
“This is a perfect example of International Military Partnering. Not only does it support COMUSAFE’s priority of partnering with our joint and coalition team to win today’s fight, it also links to EUCOM’s motto of being ‘stronger together.’”
