Turkish airmen learn tricks of trade with Fairchild's KC-135 crew

November 14, 1997
Originally printed by Fairchild Connection (Fairchild AFB, WA)

Fairchild recently welcomed guests from the Turkish Air Force who are here to receive advanced training on KC-135 aircraft. They began to arrive during the past year and the last class is scheduled to depart Nov. 28.

The primary trainers are TSgt. Norman Harada, TSgt. Barry Fancher, TSgt. Brian Metler, SSgt. Mark LeBaron, MSgt.(S) Brian Carpenter, TSgt(S) Brian Percy, SSgt.(S) Daniel Cooney, SSgt. Otto Bohanan, and SSgt. Andrew Chartier. All agree that Turkish students have adapted well to training in the United States.

The Turkish students attend a mandatory nine-month English course prior to arriving in the United States for training. The training program may take up to six months to complete. Harada said: "Although there's still a language barrier, we are able to understand each other and provide professional training."

"I find the students openly receptive to our ways and culture, and there's mutual respect both ways. They are very professional, and they retain a great deal of what we are teaching them," Carpenter said.

The Turkish Air Force is in the midst of buying seven KC-135 airplanes from the U.S. Air Force. Turkish aircraft maintainers are undergoing training in order to maintain these aircraft on their own. In order to fly and maintain these airplanes, they are receiving training in the various aircraft maintenance specialties, said Pat Adcock, training manager at Randolph AFB, Texas.

The first stop for many of these airmen is Sheppard AFB, Texas for Initial Training, then on to McConnell AFB, Kansas, for hands-on training by the field training Detachment. Finally they report here at Fairchild to complete the on-the-job training.

In January, three of the KC-135 aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force, the remaining four aircraft are due to arrive over the next several months. Two are currently being leased from the U.S. to Turkey.

"The students we have are being trained in their specialties to coincide with the delivery of the aircraft," SMSgt. Wayne Stronk, Maintenance Flight Chief for the 92nd Maintenance Squadron said.

"For the past three years the U.S. Air Force has been performing the maintenance and providing training in Turkey as part of the process of turning aircraft over to the Turkish Air Force," said MSgt. Chris Hurley superintendent, Logistics Group Training. "Numerous Turkish students have attended and completed this Air Force-wide training program."

Harada said "the students conduct meetings with their trainers once a week to voice problems or concerns. If we can help them out, we try to get issues resolved right here."

The students, for the most part, are pleased.

"First off, the teaching we're receiving here is very good," Capt. Ummet Yildirim said. SSgt. Cevat Bozbiyik added: "The training and the facilities are good. I am impressed with it all."

First Lt. Aziz Bulut voiced his opinion on the training. "The Air Force is known for selecting the right instructors and the correct people for the job. This teaching system is important because everybody here must have the capability and know safety."