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EC hosts Republic of Yemen Air Force student

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Thomas R. Fiori
  • USAF Mobility Operations School
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The United States Air Force Expeditionary Center, through its Mobility Operations School here, recently hosted an Air Force officer from the Republic of Yemen as part of the International Military Education and Training Program.

The training is a component of U.S. Air Force's efforts to build the counterterrorism capacity of its international partners.

Yemeni Air Force Capt. Abdurabu Al Matari joined 10 USAF maintenance officers attending the two-week Mobility Air Forces Advanced Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at the USAF EC.

The course provides front-line maintenance officers with in-depth training in aircraft and equipment maintenance management, expeditionary planning, total force integration, global maintenance support, emergency management, safety and personnel administration.

International students like Captain Al Matari, get insight into the processes and systems used by the US Air Force in maintaining our complex weapons systems.

According to Gary Miller, maintenance officer course director, "Captain Al Matari's experience and insights were a great addition to the course ... he provided a unique opportunity for our MAF maintenance officers to learn from this exchange."

Captain Al Matari has 13 years experience in the Yemeni Air Force as a helicopter electrician and flight engineer and in his current assignment is responsible for maintaining two Bell 214 Super-Transport helicopters flown by Yemen's president and other high-ranking personnel.

Captain Al Matari's training in the United States began seven months ago at Lackland AFB, TX, with three months at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center, followed by ten weeks in Basic Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at Sheppard AFB, TX, before heading to the USAF EC for advanced maintenance management training.

Upon his return home, Captain Al Matari said he plans to apply the information he learned to improve operations in his maintenance unit in Yemen.
"Your use of technology is amazing ... I have enjoyed my stay in America very much and have learned so much from you," Captain Al Matari said.
MAF Maintenance Officer Class 10A graduated Wednesday, after which Captain Al Matari headed home to reunite with his family after a long, education-based stay in the United States.