US Air Force,
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England: A firefighter here began the Royal Air Force Airmen's Command Squadron, the equivalent of the NCO Academy, Feb. 12 at RAF Halton, England.
Tech. Sgt. Josh Trundle, the RAF Mildenhall fire department assistant NCO in charge of training and safety, joined RAF airmen in training topics ranging from counseling and managing, to mission command and the future of airpower.
Top physical fitness is encouraged during the course, as all trainees undergo a 20-mile, two-day march.
Having an American Airmen attend the RAF Airmen's Command Squadron was brokered between Senior Master Sgt. Chris Mohr, the RAF Mildenhall deputy fire chief, and RAF Warrant Officer Pat Patel, the RAF Intermediate Management and Leadership Courses training supervisor. The goal of the exchange was to provide Airmen from both services the same opportunities to senior NCOs and officers.
“Sergeant Trundle was selected because of his leadership style and potential future growth,” Sergeant Mohr said. “This training will augment his skills with a new and broader perspective on leading troops. He can apply those new leadership styles and concepts here.”
“(The) Royal Air Force has always exchanged training, ideas and courses with the U.S. Air Force,” Warrant Officer Patel said. “On the Airmen's Command Squadron, Sergeant Trundle is the first U.S. exchange student. He is very welcomed to the course and both organizations will benefit from this international exchange.
“There are always huge benefits from this type of training for the RAF senior NCO,” he said. “It gives generic understanding, a level platform to start out in leadership and management skills sets. During Sergeant Trundle's three-week course, he will learn, develop and exchange many ideas. He will have a complete understanding of senior NCO responsibilities. All training is corporate training, which evolves to the current operational needs. (The NCO exchange) will benefit us in the exchange of ideas and training concepts. I am very interested in how Sergeant Trundle progresses with this course, as he is the first U.S. Airman, and his opinion will allow others to follow. There are many benefits of interest to him — culture and cross-trade teamwork, individual confidence building, debates and report writing skills. He will increase his knowledge of airpower and many other managerial skills.”
Sergeant Trundle said it is an honor to be the first Airmen selected for the course.
“There's a certain amount of stress involved,” he said. “You have to think about who you're representing — not just your flight, your base, or even your service. You represent the United States. It's very humbling.
“My goal is to do my business, maybe come out with a few new friends, and gain a better understanding of the RAF views on NCO leadership,” Sergeant Trundle said. “That's a success to me.”
Although the individual has not been selected yet, RAF officials will also send one of its senior NCOs to the U.S. Air Force NCO Academy at Kapaun Air Base, Germany.
