May 14, 2018 Congo native and Airman inspired by the ‘Tree of Life’ A canvas painting of a baobab tree dominates the small hallway in the Air Force Culture and Language Center. Hanging on a wall, the red and orange water colors slowly blend to form a breathtaking African sunset overlooking vast grassland. Frayed at the ends, the artwork pays homage to the ancient
May 3, 2018 ‘A dream come true’: A trajectory through trial, tragedy shapes Air Force career Capt. Lesly Toussaint isn’t your average Airman. Even if you overlook his advanced degrees (he has two, and they are from universities in France and Canada,) his rise from enlisted Air Reserve technician to commissioned officer, and his fluency in three languages – he would still stand out.
April 17, 2018 In Niger, Airmen continuously work to build relationships Capt Dustin Tanen constantly relives his time in Niger. He remembers the sights and sounds of downtown Niamey, the sandstorms of the 11-month dry season, and the intersection of Francophone, Muslim, and west-African cultures. As a special operations pilot, he traveled to Niamey, Niger in May 2017
July 7, 2017 Francophone Captain shines in Africa With time spent in more than 13 African countries, Capt. Megan Gallagher is not your typical U.S. Air Force officer.As part of the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, Gallagher spends about half her time traveling from her home station at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to various locations
March 16, 2017 Speaking the lingo: Ethiopia BPC Amharic is not a widespread language, but it is spoken by the 100+ million inhabitants of Ethiopia. This country in Africa is one of the few to have resisted colonization and has a proud heritage and culture.
Nov. 10, 2016 There and Back Again… and Here and There: Medical officer uses LEAP and DIMO to use French skills anywhere Managed by the Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC), the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP), is a career-spanning program to sustain, enhance, and assist with the utilization of the existing language skills of general purpose forces. LEAP has postured one of its participants, Maj Sylvia
Nov. 2, 2016 Coffee, Cameroon and the Corps: A LEAP Experience As an Air Force Academy graduate early in her career, 1st Lt. Ariel Saltin, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron, looks for every possible opportunity to provide her skills to enhance her surroundings.