Foreign pilots enlightened about C-5 cargo flying from "Alamo Wing" C-5 aircrew

  • Published
  • By Elsa Martinez
  • 433 AW
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland --  Fourteen pilots from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Japan and Paraguay stopped by the 433rd "Alamo Wing" May 2 for a walk-through tour of the wing's C-5A Galaxy. But perhaps more importantly, they had the chance to use their aviation English in an authentic setting outside the classroom.

Nine pilots are students at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center here. They are completing required aviation English courses before attending Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.

"These young Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots wanted to expand their English for flying purposes outside the classroom," explained Sarah Hodge, curriculum developer in charge of rotary-wing aviation and aircraft maintenance courseware at DLIELC. "They'll train to fly cargo aircraft like C-130s and fighter jets like the Mitsubishi F-2, but while they were here at

Lackland they saw the C-5s flying overhead and figured why not see them while they're here."

"I saw C-5s many times from DLI and while driving," said Japan Air Self-Defense Force  Lieutenant Yoshitaka Honda. "But I couldn't imagine flying in a C-A5 because JASDF doesn't have a similar cargo plane."

"On the tour, I had the chance to sit in the aircraft commander's seat and see the view. I was like a child who rides on an airplane for his first time! I learned a lot of details about the C-5A because the instructors are so kind and knowledgeable. This opportunity was so great and raised our morale," Honda continued.

The five pilots from Central and South America are Partner Nation Guest Instructors at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy here. There at IAAFA, they teach the instrument procedures course, search-and-rescue course, and flight simulators.

Prior to the C-5A tour, JASDF and IAAFA pilots spent the last several months attending an after-hours conversational English class together. They practiced collaborative language tasks as well as aviation English, which offered a valuable cultural exchange for all involved.

"Having these two groups of international military pilots come together truly exemplifies our mission of 'building bridges through communication and peace through understanding,'" Hodge said.

Lt. Col. Kevin Woods, Maj. Chris Garnett, both C-5A pilots, and Senior Master Sgt. Charlie Cardenas and Master Sgt. Steve Stophel, both C-5A loadmasters, conducted the walk-through tour. All are assigned to the 356th Airlift Squadron. The unit supports operations for Air Mobility Command's C-5A formal training.

"The experience was informative for all parties involved. It is always a pleasure to participate in hangar talk and discuss aviation topics such as training, safety and capabilities with folks from varying backgrounds in addition to making new friends along the way and strengthen international relations," noted Woods,

At tour's end, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots presented Lt. Col. Woods with commemorative JASDF gifts as tokens of their appreciation.