Inter-American Air Forces Academy conducts first-ever course in Thailand Published April 28, 2026 By Vanessa R. Adame 37th Training Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Members from Inter-American Air Forces Academy recently traveled outside the Western Hemisphere nearly 9,000 miles away in a unique opportunity to train members of the Royal Thai Air Force in remote area of Thailand. A team from the academy’s 318th Training Squadron led an advanced, three-week course on F-5 aircraft systems maintenance. Subject matter experts in hydraulics, electrical and environmental systems, crew chief and aerospace propulsion taught the course in English to primarily Thai-speaking students. It was a departure from Spanish, the language instructors use to train partner nation students. Civilian translators worked beside the team to facilitate communication and ease understanding among students with limited English knowledge. Instructors currently serving in a foreign-language capacity at IAAFA understood the mission demanded flexibility and cultural understanding. The hydraulics instructor on the team said “getting to the know the person behind the uniform” made the biggest difference. Instructors supplemented lessons with translation apps to bridge gaps and soon found common ground with students. What started with a language barrier and perceived hesitation from Thai students, soon turned into understanding and trust. The team lead and crew chief instructor talked described them the students “all of a sudden, opening up and having side conversations.” One of the instructors accustomed to teaching much smaller classes at IAAFA, had the opportunity to lead classes for approximately 20 members of the Royal Air Force, resulting in a rewarding opportunity. “You could see the whole class light up when they understood something or when they were confused on a specific point,” he said. “Everyone wanted to learn from us and understand the reason behind some of the processes.” Instructors spent the first week conducting assessments to find out what worked and what they needed help with. The team provided realistic solutions to help address maintenance challenges while maximizing existing resources. Part of the effort included examining the Royal Thai Air Force’s safety procedures and providing recommendations to help improve procedures. “Within days, we could definitely see changes that we communicated in week one and as the weeks progressed, we saw the implementation,” the lead instructor said. The IAAFA team also gleaned lessons from the Royal Thai Air Force members. Whether it was students bringing medicine when a team member became ill, coordinating hair cut appointments for the team, or a store clerk in town going out of his way to help find an item, the Thai people were warm and welcoming – a reflection of their culture. “The way they demonstrated respect with one another is something that makes their country unique and different,” the instructor said. “They stop whatever they’re doing to help someone.” It’s a lesson instructors will try to carry forward when interacting with international students at the schoolhouse. As for this historic training event, instructors are proving that they’re multi-capable, using their technical proficiency to help fix assets while building trust with their partners. “Our job is to be instructors,” one of the team members said. “Not only to provide information and knowledge at IAAFA, it’s using that to achieve security cooperation.” -30-