HomeNewsArticle Display


Redirecting...

International Officer School honors distinguished alumni

  • Published
  • By Kimberly L. Wright
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  Air Force leadership recently identified building partnerships as a critical mission focus. However, the International Officer School has been building partnerships one international officer at a time since its inception in 1954, creating relationships by opening professional military educational opportunities to rising stars worldwide. The wide reach of this commitment is further emphasized each year when these rising stars return to Maxwell as elite senior leaders to celebrate their inclusion on the Air University International Honor Roll.

This year, eight former international Air University students were added to the honor roll. Each honoree is designated by bronze plates engraved with the inductee's name, rank, country, position and AU schools attended, which line the walls of the International Honor Roll room in building 904.

This year's honored officers represent seven nations: Canada, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, the Czech Republic, Ghana, Nigeria and Sweden. Of the eight officers honored, seven attended the induction ceremony at Maxwell's Officers' Club Oct. 8. All of these officers attained the position of Chief of Staff of the Air Force or above, or the civilian equivalent, in their respective country.

Addressing the distinguished honorees at the induction ceremony, Air University Commander Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck said the honor has far-reaching influence. For the recipient, he called the honor "a significant milestone. Forever your name will be enshrined. This is a testament to you. It is part of your enduring legacy." He also said the honor roll helps the International Officer School and the Air Force at large because it serves as "a reminder to us of partnerships we have."

General Peck noted of the honorees' triumphs, "You serve as an inspiration, not only to members of your countries but to all international officers and, indeed, to all students here. They can be reminded of the great things that have been accomplished here."

Col. Michael Homan, International Officer School commandant and director of Air University International Affairs, reiterated General Peck's sentiment about the example set by former AU students turned senior leaders. "The great thing about it is this is a great way to show our current international officers what their potential is," he said. "These air chiefs are the proof of that. They came as younger officers, applied what they learned, and now they're getting something back. We honor their accomplishments and provide them an opportunity to share their perspectives on air, space and cyberspace."

Of the more than 10,800 students that have graduated from the International Officer School, approximately 3.5 percent reach the senior leadership positions necessary for honor roll induction. "That's a pretty significant statistic," said Colonel Homan. "We get the opportunity to interact with officers that nations have already identified as future senior leaders. That's a pretty unique opportunity."

The honorees expressed their appreciation to the program, the nation and the community. General de Brigade Marc Kodjo Aka, commandant of the Côte d'Ivoire Air Force, attended Squadron Officer School in 1982 as the first attendee from his country. He also attended Air Command and Staff College in 1991. "We're looking forward to getting more students from my country to come here," he noted.

Brig. Gen. Jiri Verner, the Air Force Commander in Chief of the Czech Republic, highlighted the impact of the professional military education offered at Maxwell, noting that the air chiefs in Sweden, Hungary and Bulgaria are also former IOS students. An Air War College graduate, he valued the idea sharing he experienced here. "I enjoyed very much the discussion of all the topics," he said. "I used a lot of ideas I learned from Air War College during my career."

While he was here, General Verner coached a soccer team of 15-16 Air War College students, representing 14 countries on five continents. "You don't have to speak English to play together," he said. Although the team played mostly for pleasure, they also competed against college teams and teams from other services.

His wife and children also accompanied him to Maxwell, and ten years after their American experience, they are still influenced by it. "They use the English in the university," he said.

Lt. Gen. Jan Salestrand, Director of the Joint Staff for the Swedish Armed Forces and an Air War College graduate, expressed his appreciation for the recognition. "I really feel honored. It feels like the Nobel Prize," he said.

The professional military education provided him with "different perspectives from not only Americans but different international officers," he said. It also has given him "a little bit broader view to look upon the global scene. I still profit from that." He also gained lasting friendships with fellow international students. "We still are in contact now and then during the year," he said.

He complimented the community for supporting the international officers. "Thank you to the community of Montgomery. 'Southern Hospitality' is not just a saying. It's true," he said.

General Verner also commended the warm reception he received from the local community - in particular, the Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors and his sponsor, Eva Newman. "There are very good people here in Montgomery," he said.

General Peck went one step further with his praise of the Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors: "What a great organization that is, without which this program wouldn't be successful."

The AU International Honor Roll was dedicated on Feb. 23 1988, by Edward C. Aldridge, Jr., who was then Secretary of the Air Force. "Behind each nameplate on the wall, there's a family, a family that shared experiences in the U.S.," said Colonel Homan. "There are no better ambassadors than they are. The U.S. is a country that by far wins people over when they come here."

The addition of this year's inductees brings the number of honored officers to 393, representing 85 countries. Thirty of those listed on the honor roll are currently air chiefs in their respective countries.