JIONT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Multinational enlisted leaders graduated from the Inter-Pacific Junior Enlisted Leader Forum, hosted by the Inter-Pacific Air Forces Academy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 27, 2026.
The program, which ran from July 21 to 27, immerses enlisted leaders from allied and partner nations in scenarios designed to enhance strategic readiness and strengthen international teamwork. By integrating diverse perspectives, IPAFA strengthens the collective ability to operate seamlessly across the Pacific.
This class marked a significant evolution for the academy by introducing a field training exercise strategically implemented on day one by the newly appointed IPAFA commandant.
By plunging the students directly into the field with team members whose uniforms and names they were not familiar with, Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Ryan Wilson, IPAFA commandant, aimed to break through the comfort zone of a traditional classroom and jump-start team integration from the very beginning.
“It exposes those real-world cross-cultural challenges—like language barriers and different military jargon—much faster than any classroom environment ever could,” said Wilson. “It was incredible to watch how quickly these different nations overcame those hurdles to form a cohesive, unified team."
Tasked with a complex, simulated search and rescue mission, the exercise required students to quickly work together to locate three downed aircrew and secure five cases of sensitive surveillance equipment without escalating regional conflict in a simulated environment. While some teams conducted search operations in the field, others secured the base camp against role-players simulating hostile aggressors and unpredictable civilian bystanders.
“The challenges we faced in the field tested our limits, but they also revealed the undeniable strength of our combined forces,” reflected Republic of Singapore Air Force Military Expert 2-2 “Eddy” Goh Jun Wei, 138th Squadron operations warrant. “Proving that through unity, mutual trust, and coordinated execution, we can accomplish the mission despite adversity.”
The exercise provided an opportunity for participants to practically apply classroom theories discussed throughout the program to field operations. It accelerated team building while introducing foundational concepts of leadership, mission command, and resilience.
“True interoperability requires integration across technical, procedural and human dimensions,” said Wilson. “IPAFA develops the human element by moving participants beyond cultural awareness to genuine mutual trust, ensuring we can work and communicate effectively as security allies and partners.”
Following the field training, the students transitioned to a classroom environment, presenting briefings on the air force capabilities of their respective countries. The remainder of the course blended lessons including, regional perspectives, cultural competency, leadership, mission command, organizational culture, resilience, and strategic thinking – linking strategic interests and objectives to the tactical level. The students applied these concepts during tabletop exercises on regional competition before concluding the week with a tour of Pearl Harbor historic sites, connecting historical command decisions with modern security challenges in the Pacific.
“This course prepared me for real-world operational challenges by putting me in the same conditions we would face in real-world Pacific operations,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Pomaika'inani Chandler, Hawaii Air National Guard 154th Wing Command Post command and control operations specialist. “Working alongside allied and partner airmen forced me to communicate clearly, build trust quickly, and solve problems with diverse perspectives.”
Participants will strengthen their home units when they return to their respective nations by bringing back cross-cultural strategies and new relationships.
“Our vision is that IPAFA is where multinational enlisted leaders begin forging lifelong bonds,” Wilson said. “These relationships, calcified through shared hardship, are the foundation of regional security.”
Through ongoing collaboration and realistic training, the academy continues to forge the strategic alliances and partnerships necessary to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.