AFISRA Commander takes first visit of 517th Training Group

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Yvette Cruz
  • 314th Training Squadron
PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. --  On Nov. 17 the 517th Training Group was proud to host Maj. Gen. Bradley Heithold, Commander of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, when he visited the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) at the Presidio of Monterey for the first time since taking command in February 2009. Accompanying the general was Command Chief Master Sergeant Ricker, former 17th Training Wing Command Chief and long-time friend of DLIFLC. Their visit focused on the most vital part in today's Air Force, the Airmen.

The general's orientation to DLIFLC and the 517th TRG began well before Reveille when he coined some exceptional performers in the 311th Training Squadron Heritage Room which pays tribute to the cryptologic linguist ties to the former Electronic Security Command, Air Intelligence Agency and now AFISRA. Staff Sgt. Crystal Ojeda from the group's chaplain office received the first coin from the general for her consummate professionalism and dedication to meeting the spiritual needs of our Airmen. Tech. Sgt. Dan Corbett, a 314th Training Squadron Military Training Leader, Staff Sgt. Wallace Wilkerson, a 314th TRS Client Systems Administrator, Staff Sgt. Steven Jackson, a 311th TRS Military Language Instructor, and Staff Sgt. Steven Boles, a 311th TRS Academic Training Advisor were each presented a coin from the general for their invaluable contribution to the mission.

At 7 a.m., General Heithold presided over morning formation in front of 1,200 Airmen and presented coins to five non-prior service Airmen in front of the Air Force Heritage Exhibit, a memorial honoring the cryptologic linguists who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Nation. Airman Sam Siciliano, a Spanish linguist assigned to 311th TRS and is a former emergency medical technician, received the first coin for leading an effort to resuscitate a dining facility worker last month. Russian linguist, Airman 1st Class Robert Knipfer, and Spanish linguist, Airman 1st Class Scott Gentry, both from the 311 TRS, were coined for their impressive leadership both in the classroom, in the Airman Leader Program and physical training.

For the 314th TRS, linguists Airman 1st Class Bonnie Natcher and Airman 1st Class Jennifer Dodson, also received coins. Airman Natcher will be receiving the DLI Provost Award and Airman Dodson will be receiving DLIFLC's highest academic award: the Commandant's Award accompanied by the Army Achievement Medal.

The general's speech to the formation was a tribute to the all-volunteer force, the sheer talent resident within the Air Force today and the pride he shares along with parents and citizens of our Nation who enjoy liberty because of the young men and women in our military today. Following the rousing formation which ended in the Airman's Creed and the Air Force Song, General Heithold invited a small group of NCO and Airmen students to the Dining Facility where he got to know some students and hear about some of the challenges facing linguist trainees. Following breakfast, the general attended a 517th TRG mission brief presented by the training group's commander, Col. Terry Bare, Lt. Col. Donna O'Harren, 311th TRS Commander, and Lt. Col. Tom Barnett, 314th TRS Commander. One of the main points of the brief was to highlight the extremely rigorous and lengthy language training timeline. Given the complexities of the various languages, from basic training to a student's first operational assignment could take as much as three years to produce a basic mission qualified cryptologic linguist. As an example of Air Education and Training Command's guidance to "Innovate," the 517th TRG thoroughly briefed about mobile training devices such as the iPod Touch and the iPad which support both initial and recurring training in the classroom and in the field. The 517th TRG recently received more than 2,000 iPod Touches as a standing investment to provide the tools necessary to succeed at training in a technologically advancing world. The general and chief also received a brief from Staff Sgt. Michael Wriston of the 314th TRS, first-ever Pashto Military Language Instructor at DLIFLC. Sergeant Wriston presented yet another innovative training methodology employed by DLIFLC: Joint Language Training Exercise (JLTX). JLTX serves two very critical goals. One, it trains joint ground teams for the basic language and cultural nuances they will encounter in combat; and, two, it trains linguists in a mini-immersion to fortify their skills with practical application.

The general was then escorted by Colonel Bare, who is also the DLIFLC Assistant Commandant, to Rasmussen Hall where he was met by Army Col. Danial Pick, DLIFLC Commandant, and Dr. Donald Fischer, DLIFLC Provost, for an introduction and orientation to DLIFLC's worldwide Department of Defense-wide training mission.
The general also attended a pilot Iraqi dialect class where a group of Sailors and Airmen showcased their impressive speaking abilities and incorporation of technology into the classroom. When asked about the iPod Touch, Airman 1st Class Gretchen Parsons explained their great value in the training environment. In addition, she mentioned that having an iPad in the future would bring more opportunities to them and would be beneficial for all linguists. General Heithold said the iPad is currently being tested in training environments and may be the direction the Air Force is moving to ensure that Airmen are well equipped with the proper tools to succeed.

The general and Chief Ricker saw first-hand our Airmen at the forefront of technology and innovation, as well as great examples of servant leadership from the SNCO and NCO corps. They were impressed by the dedicated Presidio Airmen leaders that provide inspiration and mentorship to the students. All these factors are helping reap higher graduation rates and a quality throughput of culturally-savvy warrior linguists to the field from what is the longest - and possibly the most challenging--technical training in the Air Force.

Having the AFISRA commander, who also leads the Air Force cryptologic mission, visit DLIFLC presented an incredible opportunity to showcase the next generation of cryptologic war fighters to their future commander. General Heithold left Monterey with an immense amount of respect for what these young Airmen are conquering and said, "This was the best trip I've been on while Commander of AFISRA. I learned so much and was absolutely in awe of our Airmen in Monterey."