ACC graduates first Singaporean ALS students

by Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/27/2013 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho  -- Air Combat Command's first three foreign students graduated from the Mountain Home Air Force Base Airman Leadership School Sept. 7.

The three RSAF Airmen from the 428th Fighter Squadron attended the command's first Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs- and Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron-sanctioned ALS class Aug. 7 - Sept. 12.

"Being selected to come to Mountain Home Air Force Base and work with our American partners has been the most profound moment in my fairly new professional career," said ME1 (senior airman equivalent) Joshua Chiang, 428th Fighter Squadropn, Republic of Singapore Air Force, of the Carvin V Detachment. "Since arriving here I've tried to assimilate into the Gunfighter spirit, share the RSAF culture and embrace our partnership. So being selected to attend ALS was really exciting. My goal was clear and simple. It was to do my utmost best, give it my all, and most importantly, treasure the experience. Being named a distinguished graduate of a U.S. Air Force ALS came as a surprise to me and it will be a moment I'll carry with me in my entire career."

ME1s Ianko Koh and Ian Francis also graduated the course.

Not only was the experience unique for the RSAF members, but American Airmen said they benefited from the combined experience.

"Having the Singaporean Airmen in the class with us proved to be a valuable experience," said Senior Airman William Tibbetts, 366th Comptroller Squadron budget analyst. "I knew we'd mutually learn from each other, but I also wondered how they'd socially integrate into the U.S. Air Force class. On the very first day, they fit right in. They were professional and motivated, and it quickly became apparent we'd get along well."

Getting permission for RSAF Airmen to attend the Mountain Home ALS was no easy task, requiring approval from multiple organizations.

"This was the culmination of more than a year's work and coordination," said Senior Master Sgt. Steven Mullens, ACC enlisted force development functional manager. "It's gratifying seeing the fruits of our labors come true at the ALS level, with a nation we have such a solid partnership with."

The RSAF students were integrated in each of the ALS flights, and worked side-by-side with Mountain Home Airmen.

"The Singaporean students were much like the typical U.S. Air Force students we teach. They were razor-sharp, had impeccable military bearing and came to class ready to learn," said Tech. Sgt. Andrea Espinoza, 366th Force Support Squadron ALS instructor. "This is testament to the quality of RSAF Airmen whom we're very fortunate to partner with. I think our American and Singaporean students mutually benefitted from this combined experience, and it was equally beneficial for the Gunfighter ALS instructors."

With the students integrated smoothly in the class, the instructors all agree the experience expanded international interoperability at the E-4, promotable to E-5, level.

"ALS teaches introduction to culture as normal curriculum," said Staff Sgt. Shane Flahaut, ALS instructor. "Typically, Airmen learn how to engage with other cultures. However, having a different culture within the class, they actually utilized the lessons in person, instead of in theory. All the instructors were excited for this new opportunity."

The RSAF-USAF partnership isn't new to most Gunfighters.

"We've been working with them for four years and if we are more molded together at even the most junior ranks, then our partnerships can only grow," said Flahaut. "I think this definitely gave everybody a better opportunity to understand the similarities between Singapore's Air Force and ours."

(U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace contributed to this article.)