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DoW Mission AFCLC Mission

To provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.

AFCLC Vision

The “Air Force’s Global Classroom”

The Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC) prepares today's military personnel for global challenges by providing practical education in language, regional expertise, and cultural understanding. Courses and products are specifically designed to support the speed and scale of current operations and strengthen the National Defense Strategy's focus on collaboration with allies and partners.
LEAP Scholars pave the way for collaboration and interoperability at Engineer Summit
LEAP Scholars 1st Lt. Masahito Nishimura (bottom far left) and 1st Lt. Yu Lei (bottom far right) pose with military members from partner allies, a member of Red Horse, and United States Air Force interpreters after a tent building event during the recent Allies & Partners Engineer Summit in the INDOPACOM AOR.
LEAP translates strategy into action during first-in-a-generation DLE exercise series
Japan Air Self-Defense Force service members pose with U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Julie Tatemoto and Language Enabled Airman Program participant, 51st Operations Support Squadron airfield operations director of operations, Osan Air Base, South Korea, during the U.S. Air Force’s 2025 Department-Level Exercise series at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 22, 2025. LEAP empowers the DLE by enhancing linguistic and cultural interoperability, enabling more effective collaboration and mission success with partners and allies. DLE 2025 is a new way of conducting operations in a contested, dynamic environment to build capabilities, making a stronger, more deterrent force. The DLE encompasses all branches of the Department of Defense, along with Allies and partners, employing more than 400 Joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell)
Fairchild Airmen recognized for outstanding language skills
250926-F-FG548-1008: From left, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Burris, 336th Training Support Squadron commander, and Staff Sgt. Maria Moskvichova, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron operations manager, stand in front of the Headquarters building at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Sept. 26, 2025. Burris and Moskvichova were named the 2024 Air Force Language Capable Airmen of the Year in the officer and enlisted categories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather Ley)
LEAP Scholars partner with U.S. Army Intelligence in immersive Warrior Engaged exercise
LEAP Scholars and U.S. Army personnel assemble for a photo during the Warrior Engaged exercise at Camp Bullis, Texas. From left to right: USAF Tech. Sgt. Carlos Marrero-Estrada (Spanish LEAP Scholar); U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dale W. Hunter II (HUMINT Readiness); U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher L. Bettinger (Battalion Commander); U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Paulo F. Martinez, (Spanish LEAP Scholar); U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Georges A. Yaguibou (French LEAP Scholar); and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dorothy A. Sullivan (Intelligence Analyst). (Contributed photo)
Language as a Force Multiplier: LEAP Scholars Bridge Cultures in Panamá
250918-F-WJ837-3085: U.S. Air Force Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) scholars pose for a group photo during AMISTAD 2025 in La Mesa, Panamá, in September 2025. Their linguistic expertise and cultural knowledge were vital to mission success, allowing providers to focus on patient care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins)

Latest News

  • LEAP Scholars promoted to master sergeant

    Jun 09, 2026

    LEAP Scholars promoted to master sergeant

    Congratulations to the Language Enabled Airman Program Scholars who were recently selected for promotion to the rank of master sergeant in the 26E7 promotion cycle. According to the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force officials selected 4,475 Air Force technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant out of 21,552 eligibles for a selection rate of 20.76 percent.

  • Spanish LEAP Scholar, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Elio de los Santos interprets during exterior movement training for members of the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines and Guatemalan paratroops, known as Paracaidistas, on May 20, 2025, at the Paracaidistas’ training base near San Jose as part of CENTAM Guardian 2025. CENTAM Guardian, an annual, multinational exercise, fosters strong partnerships by enabling combined forces to effectively address shared security challenges. By deploying culturally and linguistically exceptional service members like de los Santos, LEAP directly advances the National Defense Strategy’s mandate to increase burden sharing with global allies and partners. This organic communication capability establishes the tactical interoperability required for combined forces to integrate seamlessly and share the operational responsibilities of regional defense. (Courtesy photo)

    May 27, 2026

    Language + Culture = Speed: How the AFCLC is turning National Defense Strategy mandates into credible combat capability

    At the heart of the latest National Defense Strategy lies a critical mandate to increase burden sharing with allies and partners. For Air University’s Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC), this directive isn’t just a policy, it is their fundamental operational purpose.

  • LEAP Scholars and the Relámpago de los Andes exercise mission leadership team pose with Colombian Security Forces counterparts after a relationship building/training event. LEAP Scholars filled gaps in both language and technical capabilities during the demonstration portions and interactions in the event, which was part of the Relámpago de los Andes exercise.

    May 20, 2026

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

    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.