Safety without borders

Published Oct. 9, 2008
By Maj. Veronica Kemeny
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Royal Jordanian and Brazilian Air Forces joined forces at Tyndall to learn about flying high and safe with the U.S. Air Force.

Maj. Roberto Fernandez Alves, a Brazilian Air Force transport pilot, and Maj. Talal Saleh Khraisha, a Jordan's Royal Air Force Black Hawk helicopter pilot, toured flying units and learned about Tyndall's safety program this week.

The two foreign officers have been in the states receiving training from the Air Force. First, they attended a four-week Flight Safety officer course at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. They then travelled to Sheppard AFB, Texas for a two week jet engine mishap investigation course. Finally, the officers made their way to Tyndall for the final stage of their training.

The Tyndall Safety office has supported the international safety officer training program for several years, said Lt. Col. Malcolm Kemeny, 325th Fighter Wing chief of safety.

"As one of the most diverse bases in Air Education and Training Command, Tyndall is an ideal location for new safety officers to learn about each major safety discipline - ground, flight, and weapons safety," said Colonel Kemeny. "We present the international students a unique opportunity to observe and practically apply what they have already learned in the classroom. Each year, Tyndall is a top choice for international safety officer training."

The thought behind this program is an "idea exchange" between militaries the United States has a strong strategic relationship with, said Senior Master Sergeant Rich Street, 325th Flight Safety noncommissioned officer.

"The officers are seeing a different perspective on how to operate a safety program in their military," said Sergeant Street. "Our main objective during their visit to Tyndall is to show them how we run our program."

Visiting Tyndall compliments what they learned in the classrooms at each training course, said Major Alves.

"Here is the real world," Major Alves continued. "Today, we learned about mid-air collision avoidance, foreign object damage and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard programs."

"Our training at Kirtland and Sheppard gave us the basics," said Major Khraisha. "We came here for airfield safety and are applying what we learned in our courses. I will take back to Jordan, especially, the information on weapons safety and BASH. I will write up the lessons I've learned at Tyndall and share them throughout my Air Force."

This is very important for their military, said Major Khraisha.

"The U.S .has incomparable safety experience and we can learn from the U.S.," Major Khraisha continued. "We can see people are safety oriented regardless of their rank."

An additional goal is for the officers to take all the safety lessons not taught in school with them , said Mike Simons, 325th Flight Safety manager.

"They are their air forces' future," said Mr. Simons. "These officers will become chiefs of safety and flight safety officers in their respective air force when they return to their countries."