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Air Force interpreters provide first-time support, extra value in CENTAM Guardian 2025
Strengthening NATO Readiness Through ADR
LEAP Scholars advance historic Quasi-Zenith system initiative with Japan
LEAP Forward: Breaking Down Language Barriers in Joint Military Operations

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  • Russian LEAP Scholar Capt. Lyudmila Mueller, executive officer for AFIMSC’s Financial Management directorate, volunteered for the Guardian Sphinx 24 exercise as a member of the Department of Defense’s Language Enabled Airman Program. She role played a detainee and was interrogated by military police during the training exercise.

    Russian LEAP Scholars Amplify Mission Success with Versatility

    A hallmark of the Language Enabled Airman Program is having more than 3,700 Airmen and Guardians with specialized skills in language, regional expertise, and cultural proficiency, ready to step in when a crisis hits. Needs arise frequently, sometimes unexpectedly, but these service members are always prepared to respond. Numerous examples from recent years may be found in the Russian LEAP cohort, many who have navigated complex challenges and provided crucial support when it mattered most.
  • U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Karla Pelayo, from the Air Force’s Language Enabled Airman Program, poses May 21, 2025, on Mariscal Zavala military base with Col. Victor Argueta Oscal of the Guatemalan army, who commanded the combined task force in CENTCAM Guardian 2025, and U.S. Army Maj. Brian Hotchkiss, an advisor from the 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade, for whom she interpreted daily. CENTAM Guardian, an annual, multinational exercise, fosters strong partnerships by enabling combined forces to effectively address shared security challenges. The Air Force’s Language Enabled Airman Program, to which Pelayo belongs, includes more than 3,700 service members who bridge language and cultural barriers with allies and partners to create a more interoperable, lethal force. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Michael Cody)

    Air Force interpreters provide first-time support, extra value in CENTAM Guardian 2025

    GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Eight interpreters from the Air Force’s Language Enabled Airman Program, known as LEAP, supported CENTAM Guardian 2025 in a first for the annual multinational exercise, held from May 12 through May 23 at various locations in Guatemala this year.
  • Senior Airman Tadayoshi Kiriyama, a Japanese LEAP Scholar, interprets a jungle survival briefing to members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Security Forces Team during the Pacific Defender 2023 exercise.

    Japanese LEAP Scholars Accelerate Warfighting Readiness

    On a frigid January morning in Hokkaido, Air Force Capt. Meghan Fong stood alongside American and Japanese Marines, providing interpretation and intercultural support to the 4th Marine Regiment. This remote place was a far cry from her native sunny California and a vastly different work environment from her familiar SCIFF at Fort Meade, yet for this Japanese language enabled Airman, exercise NORTHERN VIPER was the high mission impact, golden opportunity of a lifetime.
  • In a world where global militaristic partnerships are vital, breaking down language barriers is not just a strategic advantage—it's a mission imperative that ensures harmonious collaboration, operational success, and a united front in the face of any challenge. Meeting that imperative is at the heart of the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP), a Department of the Air Force initiative designed to identify, develop, and sustain Airmen and Guardians with foreign language and cultural skills to enable efficient cooperation among partners on joint military operations.

    LEAP Forward: Breaking Down Language Barriers in Joint Military Operations

    When it comes to conducting military operations, make no mistake: the stakes are high, the margin for error is zero, and time is of the essence. Even the slightest of setbacks, delays, or miscommunications could be the difference between mission failure or success—between life or death. Successful execution depends on the seamless coordination of the most elite and capable teams. But what if those teams don't speak the same language?
  • The Air Force Culture and Language Center recently released its "Introduction to Ukraine" Culture Awareness Course on its free Culture Guide Mobile app.

    AFCLC Releases New Ukraine Culture Awareness Course on Culture Guide App

    The Air Force Culture and Language Center recently released its “Introduction to Ukraine” Culture Awareness Course on its free Culture Guide mobile app – one of 12 Department of the Air Force-certified courses available via the app and the myLearning platform.
  • Personnel from the U.S. and Japan stand in front of an integrated United States-Japan satellite while giving a tour to Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, the commander of U.S. Space Command, in Japan in April 2024. LEAP Scholars have successively contributed to a significant international agreement between the United States and Japan. Under this agreement, Japan consented to host two U.S. Department of Defense payloads on two Japanese satellites.

    LEAP Scholars advance historic Quasi-Zenith system initiative with Japan

    LEAP Scholars have been a massive force multiplier in missions worldwide, but now their efforts have had an immense impact on a mission in a whole new frontier… space.
  • Capt. Daniela Carchedi (bottom row, second from left) and fellow competitors celebrate their success at the 7th Annual Best Linguist Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah. The team, made up of individuals from diverse career fields, secured a second-place finish against trained cryptologic linguists, demonstrating the power of problem-solving under pressure. (Courtesy photo)

    Special Agent excels during national linguist competition

    QUANTICO, Va. -- Capt. Daniela Carchedi didn’t know her passion for language would take her from counterintelligence operations in West Africa to the finals of a high-stakes military linguist competition.
  • At Morón Air Base, Spain, U.S. Air Force Airmen and U.S. Navy Seabees teamed up with Spanish and Portuguese forces for an Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) exercise from February 1-8, 2025. More than just fixing runways, the training strengthened NATO partnerships, improved joint response capabilities, and enhanced real-world mission readiness. With support from Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) scholars, the exercise also broke communication barriers, ensuring seamless coordination among the multinational team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cristina Oliveira)

    Strengthening NATO Readiness Through ADR

    From Feb. 1-8, 2025, U.S. Air Force Airmen and U.S. Navy Seabees teamed up with Spanish and Portuguese counterparts at Morón Air Base, Spain, for an Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) exercise. More than just fixing runways, this multinational effort focused on building strong partnerships, improving teamwork, and ensuring NATO forces can respond quickly and operate effectively in any environment.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Adriana Amador provides translation support for a Portuguese Air Force member while he operates a vehicle during an ADR exercise. From Feb.1-8, 2025, at Morón Air Base, Spain, U.S., Spanish, and Portuguese military forces conducted an Airfield Damage Repair exercise. Scholars from the Language Enabled Airman Program played a key role by providing real-time translation and cultural expertise, ensuring communication between the multinational team. Their contributions enhanced interoperability, improved safety, and strengthened partnerships throughout the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cristina Oliveira)

    Speaking the Same Language: How LEAP-ACE Strengthens Multinational Missions

    MORÓN AIR BASE, SPAIN – In today’s fast-moving world, working closely with allies is key to mission success. Agile Combat Employment (ACE) focuses on being flexible, moving quickly, and working well with international partners. For that to happen, clear communication and cultural understanding are essential. The Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) helps bridge these gaps by giving U.S. Airmen the language skills and cultural knowledge they need to collaborate effectively. This was especially important during the Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) Exercise at Morón Air Base, Spain, from Feb. 1-8, 2025.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Bermsoo Kim, 51st Fighter Wing chaplain, speaks about respect at a marriage study at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 23, 2025. The 51st FW Chaplain Corps and religious support personnel help military members fortify their resilience in the human domains of spiritual, mental, and social fitness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sabrina Fuller-Judd)

    From wandering to witnessing: USAF Chaplain devotes himself to service

    OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea – One wouldn't expect a preacher to be apprehensive in his faith. However, U.S. Air Force Capt. Bermsoo Kim, 51st Fighter Wing chaplain, was filled with doubt about his purpose and relationship with God throughout his youth, despite attending church his entire life.

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    MISSION

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

    AFCLC Mission
    Enhance partner interoperability and adversary understanding in Airmen through language, regional expertise, and culture education.

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    The “Air Force’s Global Classroom”

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