USAF FAO Notes

Captain Joseph E. Pilkus, III, USAF

Air Force's FAO Program for the New Millennium

Language and Area Studies Immersion (LASI) Program

As we usher in the new millennium, our flagship program, Language and Area Studies Immersion, has recently received AF-wide advertising. The program's manager, MSgt Stephen Taylor distributed, via e-mail, over 1,500 notifications regarding the program, its benefit to the Air Force at large and highlighted its implications to the evolving Expeditionary Air Force concept, starting now to take final shape. In response to his initial contact, he received over 5,000 e-mails requesting further information and application procedures.

FY 00 proved successful for the program, with 225 students studying 31 foreign languages throughout 25 countries. In addition to the normal fare of German, French, Spanish, and Italian, we offered multiple iterations of language training in Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. To grow officer-linguists in Less-Commonly-Taught Languages, we offered Iso-Immersions (CONUS) in both Lithuanian and Indonesian. For FY 01, we're examining the possibility of offering Hindi through an Iso-Immersion and French in Mali. Early estimates project a student base exceeding 300.

Language and Area Studies Immersion II Program

Like its predecessor, the LASI II Program emphasizes the cultural dimension while strengthening language proficiency. To that end, we developed the program to enhance the language ability of officers possessing DLPT scores of 2/2 and higher. The program will grow in FY 01, but meanwhile FY 00 statistics can boast 24 students learning 6 foreign languages in the following countries: Austria, China, Korea, Russia, Tunisia, and Vietnam.

Area Studies Advanced Program (ASAP)

The ASAP, designed to further language proficiency and develop a significantly greater understanding of a region, had great success throughout FY 00, and we look forward to an ever- expanding program in FY 01. The officers selected for the ASAP travel overseas to perform thesis-level research on a topic of Air Force significance. The FAO Proponent Office funds travel, per diem, language material, cultural excursions, and all matters relating to the research for a period NTE 3 months. Country (ies) and Associated ASAP Research Proposals:

Philippines--The Philippines and its Spratley Dilemma: Changing Strategic and Tactical Perspectives Within the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela--High Tech Weapon Sales to Latin America: Economic Boon or Regional Bane?

Germany--Effects of Deregulation of the German Telecommunications Industry on Government and Military Communications.

China--China-Taiwan Relations in the post-election environment.

Austria--Austria's Freedom Party: Beyond the Rhetoric.

France and Belgium--Eurocorps: Can Europe Develop Autonomous and Responsive Air Power?

Hungary--Investigate Operational, Intermediate, and Depot-Level Maintenance Practices Supporting HAF MiG-21 and MiG-29 Operations.

Language Training Opportunity 2000

Our latest initiative provides DC-area officers with maintenance and enhancement foreign language training. During the past several months, over 70 officers have taken advantage of the one-on-one training. The officers establish instruction times (4-6 hours per week) during duty and off-duty hours, including nights and weekends. Four local schools provide the training in over 30 foreign languages.

FAO Board

On 24 Jul 00, the FAO Proponent Office recommended 19 officers (16 Active Duty and 3 Reserve) out of 51 for the FAO designation. Of the 19 officers recommended for the 16FXX Air Force Specialty Code, we had the following breakdown by rank: Lt Col: 4; Maj: 8; and Capt: 7.

The following areas are further represented by the additional FAOs: Russia/Eurasia 3; Latin America 5; NE Asia / China 1; Sub-Saharan Africa 1; and Europe 9.

FAO Proponent Office

Finally, a word of introduction to our newest members, and farewell to our former colleagues.

Lt Col Brian Vickers has retired from the Air Force and has sought employment with a government contractor in Colorado Springs, CO.

Maj Kirk Karver is presently serving as the Assistant Air Attaché in Madrid, Spain.

Capt Tariq Hashim is serving as the Political-Military Advisor to 9 AF/CC in the CENTCOM AOR.

MSgt Vicki Briggs has retired from the Air Force and has taken a position with a DC- based Internet company.

Introductions to . . .

Maj Diane Ficke comes to our office from Ramstein, Germany as the Chief, FAO Education Programs (TEL: 703-588-8322).

Capt Chon Kim will serve as the Chief, ASAP and as our Command Language Program Manager (TEL: 703-588-8321).

MSgt Stephen Taylor has left the DAS (after several tours in both Madrid, Spain and Cairo, Egypt) to serve as the Superintendent of FAO Language Programs and Webmaster (TEL: 703-588-8348).

And finally, our website has undergone a complete makeover. Please check out the new site at: www.safia.hq.af.mil/afaao/fao/FAOIndex. htm.

2000, Foreign Area Officer Association
Springfield, Virginia
Maintained by LTC Steve Gotowicki.
http://www.faoa.org