In this issue: • AFCLC Director’s AFCLC Makes History with Release of AU’s Commentary by Dr. David Ronan (p.3) First Public Mobile App • Special Feature: LEAP supports State Partnership Program for First Time (pp.4-5) • EDITORIAL: Culture in Conflict Symposium by Dr. Patricia Fogarty (p.6) • LEAP Supports Prep for 2016 Olympic Games (p.10) • Important announcement for LEAP participants (p.17) • And more! Important Dates: • Fall 2015 ITC Enrollment: 15-28 Sep • Fall 2015 Intro to CCC Enrollment: 13-26 Oct • Deadline for consideration by 2015 LEAP Selection The AFCLC’s new culture field guide app, shown running on a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. (AFCLC Board: 15 August photo by Brandon M. Bridges) by Brandon M. Bridges The app’s release represents a the country. We’re especially Air Force Culture and Lan- major milestone, not just for grateful to Hill AFB for help- guage Center the AFCLC but for The Air ing us get it up onto the Apple University (AU) as well. Not store. This really was a team only does it mark the first time effort.” MAXWELL AIR FORCE an AFCLC function has been BASE, Ala. – For years, the Air expressed via mobile app, but Culture Field Guides Force Culture and Language this is also the first mobile app Each of the AFCLC’s cul- Center (AFCLC) has produced from AU that has reached the ture guides is a pocket-sized and maintained a collection general public. handbook, which provides of pocket-sized culture field an in-depth look at a specific guides, each covering a dif- “A lot of work went into get- ferent country in painstaking ting this app together,” said country. The detailed and detail. This summer, AFCLC Ms. Mary Newbern, AFCLC’s carefully researched informa- took the guides to the next program manager for the mo- tion is organized according to level: making them available bile app project. “We’ve had the Air Force’s twelve domains via mobile app. help from people all around See App, p.8 Page 1 On the Cover A multinational group of students from the International Officer School (IOS) pose for a Colleagues, of our Language Division for photo before a lecture at the Air Command their hard work, now under and Staff College (ACSC) at Maxwell Air I’m amazed at how professionally Force Base, AL. The lecture, intended to the leadership of Lt. Col. Eric acclimate foreign officers with American everyone performs here day Graham. In particular, our culture, was one of many given by AFCLC after day. I’ve been at AFCLC faculty at adjacent schools. (AFCLC photo language learning program by Brandon M. Bridges) for several months now, facilitators support 88 different and everywhere I turn I see language venues. Like our hardworking and exceptionally online courses, every piece of capable people doing great work what the Language team does as a matter of normal business. requires consistency, attention This has been a productive and exciting to detail, and a great deal of hard quarter for the AFCLC. We’ve seen the work and long hours. But, instead of backing release of our very first mobile app on both down from these increasing demands, I the Android and Apple OS, which is not see everyone stepping up and meeting the only a major achievement for the AFCLC, challenges as they come, no matter how About the AFCLC but which is also the first mobile app in all difficult those challenges might be. AFCLC VISION of The Air University made available to the As we continue to move forward, I know I can general public. All of us should be proud to The Air Force Culture and Language Center, as the acknowledged experts, will lead the US Air Force count on all of you to continue to give your in building a cross-culturally competent Total Force to meet the demands of the Service’s dynamic be a part of such a cutting-edge innovation. best, and to continue to make the AFCLC the global mission. For the first time, we’re delivering content Air Force’s center of excellence for all things that Airmen need, in a format they want. AFCLC MISSION culture. Every leader believes the team they In the finest traditions of the Air Force, this have is the very best; I say that with certainty. The Air Force Culture and Language Center creates and executes language, region and cultural app represents the culmination of a true learning programs for Total Force Airmen, and provides the Service with the subject matter For me, the Air Force Culture and Language collaborative effort between people from Hill expertise required to institutionalize these efforts. Center team consists of consummate AFB, the SURVIAC team, and the Outreach professionals delivering superior products and Expeditionary Skills teams from the and services as a matter of daily business. The Air Force Culture and Language Center was founded at Air 600 Chennault Circle Bldg 1405 AFCLC. University in April 2006, embracing the Air Force Chief of Staff’s Maxwell AFB, AL 36112 I’m honored to represent such an exceptional intention to improve Airmen’s cross-cultural competence. Phone: 334.953.7729 We’ve also continued to see high levels of team of experts. Fax: 334.953.1614 In April 2007, the Air Force further demonstrated its interest in our two online courses. Many commitment to culture learning by selecting cross-cul- E-mail: [email protected] Sincerely, tural competence as the centerpiece of Air University’s probably don’t realize the sheer volume of re-accreditation efforts. In December 2007, the Center Follow us on Twitter @AFCLC or Facebook at: work that goes into making those courses a David W. Ronan, Ph.D. http://www.facebook.com/airforcecultureandlanguagecenter was made responsible for culture and language train- reality, but I want to express my appreciation ing, as well as education, across the entire Air Force. Director, Air Force Culture and Language The Air Force Research Institute hosts the AFCLC. Subscribe on DVIDS: to the entire education support team for their http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/AFCLC/ dedication. Every phase of our courses, from Center enrollment to completion, requires hard work Public Web site: People Matter http://culture.af.mil/ and constant attention to detail. To their credit, these courses always run smoothly. I’d also like to recognize the tireless members Page 2 Page 3 ruvians from the time we went to breakfast LEAP Supports State Partnership Program SMEE for First Time, until right before going to bed,” said SSgt Hernandez Rodriguez. “From ordering Provides Key International Disaster-Relief Training food, to the actual mission and its execu- tion, everything had to be translated both ways. We provided input on our areas of knowledge; I provided guidance on equip- ment inspection and maintenance.” The chief objective of the SMEE was to al- low the Peruvians to observe WVANG Sol- diers conducting field exercises, learning about each component of a major disaster response operation. Along with Disaster Response, the Pe- ruvians had also expressed an interest in learning about Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. For that, they visited several dedicated training centers in WV to in- clude the Joint Interagency Training and Capt Miguel Gaytan (left), a participant of the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Education Center and the nearby SAR speaks to a visiting Peruvian Soldier during a joint training operation in West Virginia. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (Photo courtesy West Virginia National Guard) and Explosives (CBRNE) Training Center. “I just described the process and got the trip to Washington, DC. That trip to DC Both site visits provided ample opportunity message across that way,” said Gaytan. “I really opened their eyes to the difference in for the Peruvians to observe firsthand the didn’t focus on getting the exact words culture, especially how we take care of our materials, structures, and safety protocols translated, but focused on the process.” fallen heroes.” used. A group of Soldiers and Airmen from the West Virginia National Guard speak with members of a visiting group of Peruvian engineers. The “Honestly, this mission was really easy for Path Ahead Peruvians came to West Virginia as part of the State Partnership Program, to receive training on disaster-relief operations. The joint training The LEAP Connection me,” said SSgt Hernandez Rodriguez. “I was supported by participants of the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP). (Photo courtesy West Virginia National Guard) was born and raised in Puerto Rico, so not For his part, Capt Gaytan credited his long- LEAP’s participation in joint events like this only did I speak the language, I understood time membership in LEAP as a major con- by Brandon M. Bridges the civilian world; such as attorneys, police with preparations for natural disasters. is critical in part because they complement their culture before I went to West Virgin- tributing factor. Air Force Culture and Language Center officers, firefighters, and more. The support existing, scarce language assets. Language Bilateral Engagement i a .” they provided was so well-received and so Intensive Training Events (LITEs) are based “The success of our mission was built upon WEST VIRGINIA - The Language Enabled successful that eventually other countries According to MAJ Thomas E. Willis, SPP not only on the language capability and cul- MAJ Willis also said that the support from all the different experiences and training Airman Program (LEAP) has long served started requesting state partners. Eventu- coordinator for Peru: “In the area of Di- tural understanding, but also on the techni- LEAP was more than a simple boost of that the LEAP office has provided,” he said.