Air Force Culture and Language Center Articles

April 17, 2024
Three amigos follow through on training transformation during intensive instruction in Chile

Three Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Scholars recently strengthened their language and culture skills and forged new friendships as they participated in a month-long intensive course of Spanish instruction at the Escuela Bellavista school in Santiago, Chile. The course, which demonstrates
Nov. 8, 2023
LEAP Spotlight: Master Sgt. Luisa Martinez

"Being there also helped the Panamanians improve their perspective of Americans. I showed them I understood their feelings toward the U.S. military and gave them a space to have those conversations while showing them we related to them. By the end of the experience, we had shifted mindsets to the
Nov. 8, 2023
Cracking the code: LEAP Scholars study cybersecurity in today’s military

Seven Language Enabled Airmen Program Scholars and one guide traveled to Germany earlier this year as part of a special guided Language Intensive Training Event, or LITE, the centerpiece of which was participation in the 10th Annual CODE Conference at the University of Bundeswehr in Munich.
Aug. 14, 2023
LEAP Scholars bring “home” to Central American and Caribbean senior leaders

Twelve Spanish Language Enabled Airman Program Scholars provided language support for the 12th Air Force’s (AFSOUTH) 2022 Central America and Caribbean Air Chiefs and Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference, which took place at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.
July 17, 2023
LEAP Scholars participate in Argentina Advanced Special Emphasis Course

The Air Force Culture and Language Center’s U.S. Southern Command expert, Dr. Daniel Uribe, recently served as a guide for seven Language Enabled Airman Program Scholars who participated in an Advanced Special Emphasis Course in Argentina. This ASE course is one of AFCLC’s many training tactics
May 30, 2023
Language enabled Airman supports military readiness exercise in Angola with AFRICOM commander

Gen. Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, visited senior Angola defense officials in Luanda, Angola, while observing a military medical readiness exercise involving U.S. and Angolan doctors and nurses. There to provide interpretation support was Portuguese European Language Enabled
April 25, 2023
LEAP Spotlight: Capt. Jessica Lugan

'Participating in LEAP not only prepares me for work in interoperability, but also to serve in my current position. I feel equipped and prepared in my ability to make our patients feel comfortable and heard. Having exposure to other cultures has given me more empathy and understanding to better
March 7, 2023
LEAP Spotlight: Maj. Oscar Castro

“LEAP is a phenomenal program that cultivates a passion for language and culture and allows one to put our inherent skills to good use to propel missions to success. The array of opportunities and people you will meet is too vast to describe; it is honestly a hidden gem, and I couldn’t be happier on
Feb. 17, 2023
LEAP Spotlight: Master Sgt. Lisa Shurling

“LEAP has made my career in the Air Force more enjoyable and has been one of the factors that have kept me in the Force. The fact that the Air Force cares enough to provide the tools I need to maintain and further develop my second language is something I value and appreciate very deeply," Spanish
Feb. 2, 2023
LEAP Spotlight: Capt. Cara Fitzgerald

“LEAP has prepared me for future Air Force utilization, working with NATO partners such as Belgium and the Netherlands and partners in SOUTHCOM," Dutch LEAP Scholar Capt. Cara Fitzgerald said.