British cadets visit Kisling NCO Academy

Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Castelan
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
British Air Training Corps Detachment Warrant Officer Mathew Craigs, 224th ATC, calls a group of more than 40 British cadets to attention Aug. 14 in front of the Kisling Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Kapaun. The cadets from England, Wales and Northern Ireland took part in the event that immersed them into the life of a U.S. Air Force NCO attending the Kisling NCOA.
British Air Training Corps Detachment Warrant Officer Mathew Craigs, 224th ATC, calls a group of more than 40 British cadets to attention Aug. 14 in front of the Kisling Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Kapaun. The cadets from England, Wales and Northern Ireland took part in the event that immersed them into the life of a U.S. Air Force NCO attending the Kisling NCOA.

More than 40 British Air Training Corps cadets visited the Kisling NCO Academy to garner knowledge about the Air Force lifestyle and education system.

The cadets received a tour of the Kisling NCOA facilities, witnessed a retreat ceremony and participated in group team building exercises centered on physical activity.

“We’re here to see some of the capabilities the U.S. Air Force possesses,” said British ATC Flight Sgt. Ross McCreery, 331st Air Training Corps. “We are excited to tackle the physical challenges arranged for us and hope to use them to teach us better leadership, teamwork and dialogue skills between us and our partners.”

Kisling NCOA staff anticipated the cadet’s arrival far in advance and were able to show them a multifaceted view of the U.S. Air Force.

“We’re here to support our visiting British ATC Cadets,” said Tech. Sgt. Melissa LaBoy, USAFE Kisling NCOA instructor. “We want to show them how it feels to be a student here and be able to go back home with the knowledge that can promote growth within their organizations.”

As U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s only NCOA, Kisling plays host to foreign allies in both a teaching and mentoring aspect.