Page 19 - Desert Lightning News, So. AZ Edition, Aug. 4 2017

Desert Lightning News August 2017 19 www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
REDESIGN
tended resident EPME, will still receive EPME credit and will not be required to attend the resident portion. Additionally, those currently enrolled in NCO or SNCO distance learning courses may still complete the course and receive credit upon completion. Or, they may withdraw with no adverse actions and reenroll at a later date, prior to attend- ing resident EPME.
“This change clearly sends a signal that our senior leaders value deliberately develop- ing our enlisted corps,” said Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services. “This is a positive move in the right direction, as we continue to develop the force and support our Airmen.”
Additionally, EPME 21 will institute a new requirement called Professional Develop- ment Unit that will capture diverse education, training and life experiences. This will allow the AF to capture those experiences. Each Airman will complete 24 PDUs per year
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with one PDU equaling approximately one hour of learning, which equates to three days of development in the span of a year.
Many activities that enlisted Airmen already do will count towards the 24 PDUs. Professional Enhancement Seminars, Senior Enlisted Joint PME, college classes and even earning professional certifications accumulate points. Many Airmen have already attended programs like Profession of Arms Center of Excellence or other major com- mand courses. Additionally, Airmen actively plan and participate in Air Force, Joint and coalition exercises, gaining experience in warfighting activities ranging from aircraft generation, command and control and force protection. And finally, Airmen deploy and lead both small and large teams across our Combatant Command Areas of Responsibil- ity. These all count.
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GENERATION
worked with were incredibly welcoming and eager to help us with anything we needed.”
This trip marked the first time any of the participat- ing U.S. Airmen had been to Colombia and the first face- to-face interaction with Americans for many members of the host nation’s armed forces.
“This was a very unique experience for me,” said Colombian air force 2nd Lt. Luisa Fernanda Molina Carvajal, F-AIR COLOMBIA 2017 committee organizer.
“The U.S. Air Force is so big and (the Colombian air force) is very small, we were a little nervous they may be stuck-up,” she said with a laugh. “It was pleasant to see how friendly and easy to work with the U.S. was.”
The positive working relationship between the U.S. and Colombian air forces proved effective at accomplish- ing the mission at hand; the air show went off without a hitch, much to the joy of the participants and those in attendance.
“The Colombian people love the U.S., and they really
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like to see our aircraft in person,” Nivia said. “They see these iconic aircraft in magazines and movies, and they’ve become very symbolic of the U.S., so having the opportunity to see them firsthand and meet the people who work with them every day is huge for them.”
“This show really solidified the Colombian people’s positive opinions of the U.S.,” he said. “I had a lot of Colombian citizens approach me and ask how to join the U.S. Air Force, which was surprising to me. They were very inspired and motivated by everything the U.S. did here.”
With the rolling hills of Colombia’s sprawling coun- tryside behind them, the American Airmen headed home with newfound enthusiasm for their jobs and a deeper appreciation for the U.S. Air Force’s impact as a global force. Perhaps more importantly, they leave with the understanding that their commitment to the U.S. and their dedication to excellence in all they do inspires the next generation of Airmen both at home and abroad.
Maj. John Waters, Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Dem- onstration Team commander and pilot, left, performs a handshake with Staff Sgt. Dominic Dizes, ACC F-16 Viper Demonstration Team crew chief, center, while Tech. Sgt. Stephen Mullins, ACC F-16 Viper Demonstration Team avionics specialist, right, stands at attention following an aerial demonstration July 16 at the F-AIR COLOMBIA 2017 air show in Rionegro, Colombia.
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