Kazakhstan officials visit SJ

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Malachowski, 4th Fighter Wing chief of saftey, briefs members of the Kazakhstan Air Defense Force during a tour on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Sept. 20, 2012. The U.S. and Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense have several years of cooperation, which has assisted the Kazakhstan MoD in establishing their own safety programs and organizations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Samantha Konieczny/Released)

Kazakhstan officials visit SJ

Kazakhstan Air Defense Force Col. Mirbek Kurmanaliyev inspects an F-15E Strike Eagle during a tour on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Sept. 20, 2012. As part of a military-to- military program, the Kazakhs are visiting various active-duty fighter wings to learn about the Air Force’s flying safety standards and operations; ground, weapons and range safety; operational risk management, standardization and quality assurance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Samantha Konieczny/Released)

Kazakhstan officials visit SJ

Published Sept. 25, 2012
By Senior Airman Samantha Konieczny
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Members of the Kazakhstan Air Defense Force toured the 4th Fighter Wing to learn about the base's flight safety program Sept. 21.

As part of a military to military program, the Kazakhs are visiting various active-duty fighter wings to learn about the Air Force's flying safety standards and operations; ground, weapons and range safety, operational risk management, standardization and quality assurance.

"We're giving them the opportunity to see how safety integrates with everything in the Air Force," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Heather Alexander, Air Force central flight safety.

The U.S. and Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense have several years of cooperation, which has assisted the Kazakhstan MoD in establishing their own safety programs and organizations, according to Rod Pressley, Air Force central director of central Asian engagements.

During their visit to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, they toured the base and examined the F15-E Strike Eagle operations. This military to military program is executing Defense Military Contact events to share U.S. experiences and to expose the Kazakhs to how the Air Force runs its safety programs.

"There were a lot of very helpful people," said Kazakhstan Air Defense Force Lt. Col. Aidar Zhaukin. "Everything we've seen are things we can take back home."

The members of the KADF appreciated the opportunity to not only learn about safety but to see it for themselves.

"I think it's beneficial; you can brief safety, but when they can see it, it makes a lasting impression," Alexander said. "Safety is a primary concern in the Air Force. It isn't a mission multiplier; it's a mission 'impactor.' If we lose a jet or a person, we can't get the mission done."

This visit is just another step in enhancing U.S. and Kazakhstan relations. The goal over the next couple of years will be to further develop the Kazakhstan safety program to meet their specific needs.