MTIs deploy to train Iraqis Published March 22, 2007 By Lilly Flores-Janecek 37th Training Wing Public Affairs Office LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A group of hand-picked military training instructors from the 331st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base is en route to Camp Taji, Iraq, to begin training Iraqi Air Force recruits, also known as jundis. "The mission is to stand up the Iraqi air force to make it a viable armed service of the Iraqi military defense. That allows them to use airmen and aircraft to assure their national security whether it's against internal threats or external threats," said Col. Robert J. MacDonald, 737th Training Group commander. The six MTIs and an officer headed out March 20. Two advance personnel are already in Iraq preparing for the 179-day special assignment. "I'm excited to go do the mission that we're going to do in Iraq because it's unique," said Tech. Sgt. Kevan Dent. "We're going to have direct input on the outcome of the future Iraqi air force." Team Lackland will begin its modified air force basic training in Iraq with a flight of 45 jundis who have already undergone some general military indoctrination training. According to Lt. Col. Thomas Schmidt, 331st TRS commander, the four-week curriculum has been carefully tailored to best meet the needs of the Iraqi air force. "We want to develop military professionals there and we also want to develop airmen with warrior ethos," Colonel Schmidt said. Staff Sgt. Laura Saucedo has two years experience as an MTI and said she is excited and anxious about the special mission and opportunity to do her part. "I know that I'm capable of training an outstanding group of individuals to be productive Airmen in the Air Force whether it be our Air Force or the Iraqi air force," Sergeant Saucedo said. "It's going to be a challenge, but a challenge that I'm definitely willing to accept and we're going to do some big things." "I absolutely think that we are sending an all-star team out there," Colonel Schmidt said. "The Iraqi air force, the folks that we work with out there, will be working with the finest. I have no doubt that these folks will perform exceedingly well. They will make my squadron proud, they will make BMT proud and they will make our nation proud."