Speaking the Language of Warfighting: LEAP fuels joint exercise in the Andes

Published May 20, 2026
By James Brown, AFCLC Outreach Team
AFCLC

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --

Strategic communication isn’t just a complementary skill set; it’s a critical warfighting capability. During the Relámpago de los Andes exercise, Air University’s Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Scholars proved exactly that. By bridging critical communication gaps, they solved complex operational problems for the joint force and demonstrated the power of cultural expertise.

The monumental two-week joint exercise conducted in Colombia from late July through early August 2025, brought together military teams from Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Across 16 functional areas, these multinational forces operated on a massive scale, collaborating to enable 32 air combat sorties, 23 transport and logistics missions, 21 special operations and rescue events, 14 space operations, and 31 cyber missions. On the humanitarian front, joint medical engagements resulted in the treatment of 620 patients.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Martha Larrazabal, manager of the Integration Branch for the Directorate of Security Forces at the Air Force Pentagon, this massive integration of multinational forces was designed “to advance interoperability and mutual strategic aims, while reinforcing the presence essential to our shared security objectives.”

But executing a complex, high-stakes exercise requires more than just shared objectives, it requires shared understanding. This is where versatility of LEAP Scholars took center stage, allowing them to step seamlessly into multiple roles to keep the mission moving.

“I was one of two interpreters for the maintenance squadron of approximately 60 to 70 personnel,” said Tech Sgt. Rodolfo Falero Maldonado, a loading standardization crew member with the 52nd Maintenance Squadron out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. “I led multiple immersion tours, facilitated maintenance requests, and coordinated multiple events throughout the two-week span, to include a humanitarian effort during our stay to help mitigate a base-wide water shortage.”

For others, their technical Air Force background paired perfectly with their linguistic skills to enhance safety and training on the flightline.

“As a maintenance SNCO, I joined the South Carolina Air National Guard to provide translation support, coordination, and communication between our maintenance team and the Colombian maintainers,” said Master Sgt. Samuel Ortiz Castro, a weapons loading element NCOIC with the 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. “Leveraging our expertise in aircraft maintenance, we briefed Colombian first responders on safety protocols and emergency procedures, giving them hands-on experience with F-16 fighter aircraft. This collaboration not only enhanced their understanding of our aircraft but also strengthened the interoperability between our teams, ensuring a more effective and cohesive operation during the exercise.”

While LEAP Scholars provide expert linguistic support, their true value extends to cultural fluency, ensuring military operations don’t get lost in translation.

“LEAP Scholars don’t only translate; they interpret intent and purpose,” Falero Maldonado explained. “In my case, by having prior F-16 experience as a weapons troop, I was able to explain maintenance lingo in detail and provide accurate information to our leaders at the operational field, to include interpreting during VIP meetings and mentorship panels.”

Ortiz Castro echoed that sentiment, noting that accurate translation was essential for preventing misunderstandings with so many different languages and cultures represented on the ground.

“LEAP Scholars not only facilitated daily operations and debriefs, but also helped bridge cultural gaps, making it easier for personnel to collaborate and build rapport,” said Ortiz Castro. “Their presence allowed for smoother decision-making, faster problem-solving, and helped ensure that all teams could operate efficiently and safely. Ultimately, LEAP Scholars played a key role in enhancing the interoperability of the multinational forces.”

The organizers of Relámpago de los Andes recognized the added value of having cultural experts participate in the exercise.

“By leveraging LEAP Scholars, our team was able to engage more effectively with international partners, ensuring intent was clearly conveyed and understood on both sides,” said Master Sgt. Alejandra Avila with the Defense Attaché Office in Colombia, who helped organize the exercise. “Their support went beyond translation; through cultural fluency and contextual insight, they strengthened trust, improved collaboration, and served as force multipliers that enabled leaders to engage with confidence and achieve shared understanding.”

“They (LEAP Scholars) filled gaps in both language and technical capabilities, not all of which were foreseen,” said Lt. Col. David Estrem, 474^th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Commander and the U.S. Mission Commander for Relámpago de los Andes. “They all engaged with energy and initiative and were truly the enablers the program intends them to be.”

Operating at this level requires rigorous preparation. The Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC), which administers the LEAP program, uses a variety of methods to cultivate the language skills and regional expertise of its scholars long before they travel.

“Through their language training and cultural awareness resources, I was able to improve my language proficiency and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural nuances that are essential when working with international military personnel,” Ortiz Castro said of the AFCLC's support. “The AFCLC’s courses on regional dialects, military terminology, and intercultural communication equipped me with the tools to navigate the cultural subtleties that could affect interactions and decision-making. They were engaged prior, during, and after the exercise, providing assistance to whatever our need was.”

While the AFCLC provided a strong foundation, the test of a multinational exercise offered hands-on growth. The scholars didn't just contribute to the mission; they refined their skills by working side-by-side with partner nations.

“It was a great experience and exposure to broaden my knowledge of their organizational structure, standards, and challenges,” said Larrazabal. “I enjoyed getting the opportunity to work alongside my AFSC and learn from partner nations in the same career field. It helped my team appreciate the resources and trust that our Air Force leaders provide.”

For Ortiz Castro, the exercise served as a potent reminder of the human element at the heart of joint operations.

“The diversity of perspectives, operational procedures, and unique skills each ally brought to the table enhanced our overall mission effectiveness,” he said. “The camaraderie and shared dedication to the success of the exercise made it a truly memorable and enriching experience. It reinforced the importance of interoperability and mutual respect among allied forces, and I gained a deep appreciation for how collective efforts can achieve common goals in multinational operations.”