Iraqi training refresher course caters to prior servicemembers

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Iraqi air force airmen practice marching April 18, 2010, at Camp Taji, Iraq. The Iraqi airmen volunteered to return to active duty through the rehire program by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Quinton Russ)
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Iraqi training refresher course caters to prior servicemembers

Posted 5/18/2010

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by Master Sgt. Kimberley Harrison
U.S. Air Forces Central Combat Camera

5/18/2010 - CAMP TAJI, Iraq (AFNS) -- More than 1,025 prior Iraqi airmen are participating in a three-week Basic Military Training Top Off program at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here.

The BMT Top Off course is a refresher course that reviews the preperation involved in basic military training, such as drill and dorm inspection, but focuses mainly on academics for the Iraqi air force.

"Our mission here is specifically to advise the Iraqi basic military instructors," said Master Sgt. Paul Gaffney, the 821st Expeditionary Training Squadron BMT instructor and advisor. "We created the course's curriculum with the Iraqi cadre; we taught them how to teach the courses. We've observed them teaching the courses and now we're seeing how well they run the courses themselves. Sometimes we advise them on things they can do better or maybe there might need to be a shift to the course so they can prepare the individuals better for their service."

After a seven-year hiatus from prior military service, former Iraqi air force warrant officers, ranging in ages from 40 to 55, volunteered to return to active duty after a recall to service was announced by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.

"The Iraqi air force offers 32 different courses at the school house," said Lt. Col. John Terry, the 821st ETS commander. "We've been in an overwatch mode for almost a year."

"There are over 1,000 students in this class, so the class was split into two groups: A and B group," said Master Sgt. Everett Nicholson, the 821st Expeditionary Training Squadron superintendent and curriculum manager. "They alternate weeks when they go through the course."

This works to accommodate not only the living arrangements, but also with the Iraqis' mandatory vacation periods.

This is the largest rehire class to date and there are 12 total Iraqi air force instructors on the staff.

"This training isn't like American military training," said Sergeant Gaffney. "They take time off during the training course for vacation and they have officers and warrant officers teaching basic training, not enlisted."

Iraqi air force Lt. Col. Ali Hussein Muhaimeed, the training squadron BMT director, said he is proud of the accomplishments made by the dedicated Iraqi instructors, as well as the American advisers.

"We appreciate the American advisers because they help us to build the new air force and they want this new air force to be successful," he said, through an interpreter. "They have given us everything we've asked for in training and we appreciate it."

Neither age nor the seven-year break seems to matter to them as they express happiness to be back in uniform.

"I'm proud to be given the chance to work for the Iraqi air force again," said Iraqi air force Warrant Officer Fashel Olam Halaf, a 17-year veteran. "I'm happy to serve my country."

All warrant officers going through the BMT Top Off course will return to the same career fields previously held.