By Vanessa R. Adame, 37th Training Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – A team of instructors and leaders from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy joined hundreds of Airmen and Guardians at the 2021 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, September 20-22.
IAAFA commandant Col. José Jiménez Jr., IAAFA superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Emilio Avila, and five instructors were among the academy members who attended.
The conference brought together defense industry leaders and representatives to discuss challenges facing the aerospace and cyber communities. Participants also had the opportunity to engage in additional sessions including agile combat employment and accelerating innovation.
“Our members’ presence at this conference is part of IAAFA’s strategy to provide continuous professional education and training to our cadre and staff,” Jiménez said. “We are committed to giving our team members every opportunity to grow as instructors, technical experts and leaders.”
Highlights from the conference included presentations by Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., and Chief of Space Operations, Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond. Brown discussed a change of culture necessary to transform the Air Force to meet future demands.
For IAAFA helicopter maintenance instructor and retired Master Sgt. Javier Nagore, who also attended, the message was invigorating.
“It inspired me to maintain my professionalism and make sure what I’m teaching is the best information I can present to my students and meet expectations of the Air Force,” Nagore said.
As the Air Force focuses on modernization to address the renewed great power competition, IAAFA continues building partner capacity to strengthen relationships in line with national strategic objectives.
“Hands down all it does is leave room for growth,” Nagore said. “There is no limit.”
