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  • LEAP Scholars promoted to master sergeant

    Jun 09, 2026

    LEAP Scholars promoted to master sergeant

    Congratulations to the Language Enabled Airman Program Scholars who were recently selected for promotion to the rank of master sergeant in the 26E7 promotion cycle. According to the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force officials selected 4,475 Air Force technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant out of 21,552 eligibles for a selection rate of 20.76 percent.

  • Spanish LEAP Scholar, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Elio de los Santos interprets during exterior movement training for members of the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines and Guatemalan paratroops, known as Paracaidistas, on May 20, 2025, at the Paracaidistas’ training base near San Jose as part of CENTAM Guardian 2025. CENTAM Guardian, an annual, multinational exercise, fosters strong partnerships by enabling combined forces to effectively address shared security challenges. By deploying culturally and linguistically exceptional service members like de los Santos, LEAP directly advances the National Defense Strategy’s mandate to increase burden sharing with global allies and partners. This organic communication capability establishes the tactical interoperability required for combined forces to integrate seamlessly and share the operational responsibilities of regional defense. (Courtesy photo)

    May 27, 2026

    Language + Culture = Speed: How the AFCLC is turning National Defense Strategy mandates into credible combat capability

    At the heart of the latest National Defense Strategy lies a critical mandate to increase burden sharing with allies and partners. For Air University’s Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC), this directive isn’t just a policy, it is their fundamental operational purpose.

  • LEAP Scholars and the Relámpago de los Andes exercise mission leadership team pose with Colombian Security Forces counterparts after a relationship building/training event. LEAP Scholars filled gaps in both language and technical capabilities during the demonstration portions and interactions in the event, which was part of the Relámpago de los Andes exercise.

    May 20, 2026

    Speaking the Language of Warfighting: LEAP fuels joint exercise in the Andes

    Strategic communication isn’t just a complementary skill set; it’s a critical warfighting capability. During the Relámpago de los Andes exercise, Air University’s Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Scholars proved exactly that. By bridging critical communication gaps, they solved complex operational problems for the joint force and demonstrated the power of cultural expertise.

  • Master Sgt. Ramchand Francisco, a Tagalog LEAP Scholar, observes members of the Philippine Marine Corps putting together the roof of what's going to be a makeshift jungle shelter. This was part of JEST (Jungle Environmental Survival Training) during KAMANDAG-6, an annual Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise. During JEST, U. S. Marines and members of the PMC made animal hunting traps, butchered a pig and chicken, cooked a full meal, cooked rice using bamboo, learned how to build fire using sticks, and built shelters and hideouts.

    Apr 07, 2026

    Integrated Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific Through LEAP

    Air University develops the expert joint warfighters the Joint Force needs to compete and win in today’s strategic environment. In the Indo-Pacific, that mission supports the National Defense Strategy priority to deter China through integrated strength.

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DoD Mission

To provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.

AFCLC Mission

The Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC) prepares today's military personnel for global challenges by providing practical education in language, regional expertise, and cultural understanding. Courses and products are specifically designed to support the speed and scale of current operations and strengthen the National Defense Strategy's focus on collaboration with allies and partners.

AFCLC Vision

The “Air Force’s Global Classroom”