Developing Global Relationships

  • Published
  • By Joseph Mather
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
07/30/2013 --  To "build and strengthen enduring international partnerships by building partner capacity" might be something heard at a commander's call but what does it really mean? Partnership capacity may be a fancy military term to some, but at Goodfellow Air Force Base it means building long lasting relationships with our allies and friends through the International Intelligence Applications Officer Course or IIAOC.

Since World War II, Goodfellow has been a part of training international intelligence students to include many of our North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners. Today, Goodfellow has trained more than 750 international students helping bind our partner nations together in a strong community of intelligence and information analysis.

International students attending IIAOC are taught a variety of topics providing the skillset to operate in today's coalition military environment. Capt. Sara Undeutsch, Chief of the International Intelligence Applications Officer Course, says part of the IIAOC mission is to "foster the ability to work in a coalition environment with a focus on human rights."

According to the IIAOC, sharing common operations and human rights is critical for coalition allies in order to work together. Yalonda Folks, Chief of the International Military Student Officer Course, cites that views on human rights vary from nation to nation, but understanding all nations' views is critical to coalition operations. According to Folks, most students arrive with preconceived views of American society, often based on what they see on television. The IIAOC also focuses on strengthening the American Image and dispelling inaccurate perceptions along with imparting America's views on human rights.

"They all thought we were going to be very mean," said Folks, but she has met with success in helping change that perception.

"The second course that I ran had two officers from Saudi Arabia that came through, mentioned Folks. They were very impressed with the course and everything was very professional and they were very happy with the way they were treated." Those students left in December and four months later it was decided that the intelligence school for Saudi Arabia was going to be placed here at Goodfellow, showing just how far good relationships can reach.

The IIAOC isn't the only program building relations either. Under the American Members of International Goodwill to Others or AMIGO program, American and International students really begin to build relations through the best way possible, making a friend.

"The program encourages American students to sponsor one of the international students said Folks. One of our Italian officers, 1st Lt Mirko Torri, met Air Force Maj. Michael Quirk, 315th Training Squadron director of operations, in Afghanistan. Torri spoke of his relationship with Quirk saying he was one of his chiefs and bosses back in Kabul. So whenever he came back, he had a friend here."

"You never know when you are going to meet someone else again," said Folks.

Capt. Romulus Panait of Romania also shared his experience while at Goodfellow saying he's built many friendships and has the honor to be colleagues with many Muslims, which probably would not have happened if he had not attended the course.

"They are great guys, great officers. I will definitely recommend to my other colleagues to attend this course and I hope I can do my job better especially in a multinational environment like NATO," said Panait.

The IIAOC helps intelligence students track, find, target and analyze information in today's coalition environment, but for 70 years the relationships and friendships made here at Goodfellow have done just as much to enhance communication and operations between the U.S. and her worldwide allies. Today the IIAOC student's friendships, understanding and strong partnerships are strengthening our militaries of tomorrow.