U.S. partners with Coalition partners for joint education opportunity

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Craig Cisek
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  More than 200 military members from 13 different countries traveled to the Republic of Korea to embark on a joint education endeavor.

Similar to the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., the ROK Joint Military University teaches war theories, air and space power doctrine, joint Korea operations and planning processes.

"The course is similar to the college at Maxwell, except the Korean school includes joint education with the Army and Navy as a regular part of the curriculum," said Maj. Kevin Davidson, Air Force Element Professional Military Education Exchange Program student.

Students toured the 25th Fighter Squadron between studies, where Capt. Clay Quinby, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, showed international pilots the operations area and flight equipment used by U.S. pilots. Additionally, he gave a mission brief incorporating the aircraft specifications, performance, payload, avionics and counter-measures.

This year-long course falls under Professional Military Education, according to Davidson. It provides a U.S. prospective of current security issues while developing relationships with Korean and international officers in the same grade and profession.

Lt. Col. Ulysses Marquez, a tactical squadron commander from the Philippines said, "This joint training gives us background on what the major services are capable of and the inter-capability of other services."

Another unique factor of the program is the international training that includes 25 foreign exchange officers, with members from Japan, Turkey, Mongolia, and the Philippines.

"As I study with officers of allied nations, I must understand U.S. policy and strategy to effectively communicate to the class," Davidson said. "Outreach activities like this tour demonstrate our country's resolve to support allied countries."

As allied countries observe U.S. air power and commitment on the Korean peninsula, they will understand the U.S. resolve to support and defend our Allies, he continued. And according to the new national strategic guidance, the United States will conduct future operations as a coalition. Strengthening a coalition requires close relationships with partner nations.