AU inducts Indonesian Air Force chief into International Honor Roll

Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, commander of Air University, hands a model of the Wright Flyer to Air Chief Marshall Imam Sufaat, Indonesian Air Force chief of staff, upon his induction into the Air University International Honor Roll. The first plane to fly on the site that is now home to Air University was the Wright Brothers’ aircraft in 1910. (U.S. Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

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AU inducts Indonesian Air Force chief into International Honor Roll

Published July 13, 2010
By Jessica Casserly
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat, chief of staff of the Indonesian Air Force, was inducted into the International Officer School's International Honor Roll July 12 in a ceremony at Maxwell Air Force Base.

The award "acknowledges the good relationship" between the U.S. and Indonesia, the air chief marshal said. "It brings honor and pride [to me] and the entire Indonesian Air Force."

Among other things, the award highlights the partnership between the two nations and the accomplishments of the honoree, said Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, Air University commander.

The IHR ceremony is for IOS alumni who have attained the military or civilian rank of chief of staff or higher, according to Col. Michael Homan, commandant of the International Officer School and director of Air University International Affairs.

Air Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat, who was sworn in as the Indonesian Air Force's 18th chief of staff in 2009, first came to Maxwell in 1989 to attend IOS and Squadron Officer School.

"Coming to IOS and SOS opened my mind and improved my ability to manage [within] the Indonesian Air Force," he said. "It taught me how to be a good leader."

The IOS hosts the ceremony for international honorees every year since the honor roll's dedication by former Secretary of the Air Force Edward C. Aldridge in 1988.

"Currently, there are 394 individuals from 86 countries on the honor roll," said George McCarthy, deputy director of IOS. "We have had 143 Indonesian students attend Air University schools since 1958 and Air Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat will be the sixth Indonesian officer added to the honor roll."

The IOS plans to add seven additional honorees from other countries to the IHR during a ceremony scheduled for the fall.

Colonel Homan said the IHR ceremonies are particularly meaningful for current IOS students.

"IOS recognizes the brightest individuals, but they do not always envision their future abilities as leaders," Colonel Homan said. "This ceremony is proof of their capabilities for future positions. It also validates the importance of the officers who attend these schools."

The understanding and the partnership that is built between the international students and the U.S. Air Force is another vital component of the IOS and IHR programs, he said.

"Our international students gain an understanding of how the U.S. functions and how U.S. citizens think. They also teach us about their cultures, beliefs and thought processes," the colonel said. "Future U.S. leaders gain exposure to and some level of understanding about these countries."

This mutual exchange of cultural ideas and practices allows the international students to come away with a positive impression of the U.S.

"Students who attend these programs leave here with a wonderful opinion of the U.S.," Colonel Homan said. "This is a great outreach opportunity."