ARLINGTON, Va. -- When U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach hosted Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde for an official counterpart visit on May 19, the mission was clearly defined: deepen bilateral defense cooperation and advance shared security priorities in the Western Hemisphere.
But high-level strategic conversations between the United States and partner nations require more than just shared goals; they require absolute clarity. During this pivotal three-day visit across multiple U.S. military installations, that vital communication bridge was provided by Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Scholar Capt. Rafael Mata. Mata, who uniquely represents two separate pillars of Air University as both a LEAP Scholar and a Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Fellowship student with the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Civilian Institution (AFIT CI) program, stepped up to serve as the primary interpreter and cultural liaison for Valverde. His technical linguistic support proved critical in facilitating fluid, high-level bilateral discussions.
Stepping into a room with top military leaders requires immense preparation, especially when complex defense programs are on the agenda. Mata leaned heavily on his past experiences with the LEAP Program to ready himself for the challenge.
“My most helpful LEAP experience has been my advanced special investigations in Colombia in 2016, and my prior experience translating for a Colombian General Officer in a transnational conference,” Mata said. “I knew to expect a heavy tempo and lots of information. I prepared myself by translating and familiarizing with as much material as I could access prior to heading on the trip.”
That preparation paid off as the delegation moved quickly across the country, tackling highly technical defense topics.
The three-day visit demanded dynamic adaptability as the team navigated diverse mission sets across three different states. Mata’s direct contributions ensured that language barriers never hindered strategic progress.
In Colorado, at Peterson Space Force Base and the United States Air Force Academy, Mata provided simultaneous translation during flights and high-level Space Command HQ briefings. He also leveraged technical expertise to accurately translate complex topics during U.S. Air Force Academy tours.
At Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Mata served as Valverde’s direct representative. He accurately translated pivotal discussions on the new F-16 program. He also supported tours of munitions facilities, F-35 squadrons, and a KC-135R squadron to convey ongoing support requests.
Mata’s ability to provide accurate interpretation during such advanced strategic discussions left a lasting impression on program leadership.
“Capt. Mata played a critical role during the recent counterpart visit hosted by U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach for the Argentine Air Force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Gustavo Valverde,” said Col. Ernest Csoma, Director of the F-16 Program. “Serving as the personal interpreter for Brig. Gen. Valverde, Capt. Mata facilitated seamless, high-level defense dialogues regarding F-16 modernization, training and interoperability. Ultimately, Capt. Mata’s exceptional skill and diplomatic expertise strengthened bilateral defense cooperation across the western hemisphere.”
The magnitude of Mata’s efforts during these intensive highly important stops earned equally high praise from the visit’s organizers.
“Capt Mata provided simultaneous interpretation (with no back up interpreter) for the Argentine Air Chief out-stops,” said Col. Melissa Riddick, Counterpart Visits Lead, Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IARN). “He interpreted strategic discussions between Brigadier General Valverde and USSPACECOM, HQ NORAD and USNORTHCOM leadership. He also interpreted the F-16 and air refueling asset discussions at Hill AFB. His efforts further enabled bilateral relations with this key partner.”
In Washington D.C. Mata accompanied the delegation during final strategic engagements, providing continuous cultural liaison support through the formal farewell dinner and gift exchange.
Mata’s overall contribution to the flawless execution of the itinerary was praised by more of the visit’s organizers. Maj. Karen Salvaggio, Country Director for the Africa and Americas branch under the Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, emphasized the indispensable nature of LEAP and Mata’s role during the visit.
“The LEAP Scholars were a critical part of the success of the Argentine Counterpart Visit,” said Salvaggio. “The interpreters allowed complex strategic conversations to take place between CSAF, Combatant Commanders, and the Air Chief of our key partner in the SOUTHCOM AOR.”
Salvaggio noted that it was not merely their language skills, but their operational agility that made the difference. “Not only did their high technical proficiency enable the high-level conversations and information sharing, but they were also able to adapt to dynamic schedules and demands with ease and professionalism. Hands down, this trip would not have been able to achieve its many strategic objectives without the LEAP support.”
For Mata, currently completing a master’s degree in international policy at Texas A&M University, the opportunity to support this mission was a culmination of a decade-long journey of professional and personal development.
“Being a student at Texas A&M has been a dream come true. The relations and friendships I make will last forever, and I will always be thankful to AFIT CI for the opportunity,” said Mata. “Yet it was their continued support to develop me as a better FAO that led to this incredible opportunity to further advance relations between Argentina and the United States.”
Leaders within the Air University organization agree, and view Mata’s success as a blueprint for the program.
“Capt. Mata is the perfect example of the Airmen and Guardians that represent AFIT/CI and the AU force development opportunities,” said Col. Walter Lesinski, director, AFIT Civilian Institution Programs (AFIT CIP). “His LEAP skills are clearly tied with his Master’s in International Policy with a regional focus on Latin America from Texas A&M Bush School and will be utilized in his future FAO assignments. This is just one way we develop some of the most capable and lethal warriors in the DAF.”
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Mata remains humbled by the doors that language and cultural expertise have opened.
“When I was accepted into LEAP 12 years ago as a young Staff Sergeant, I never thought I would have been able to see and learn from different cultures as much as I have thanks to them,” Mata said. “I was able to commission, in part through their efforts, and now I get to fulfill my dreams as a FAO before I even complete my training pipeline.”
AFITs Civilian Institution Programs Office is responsible for placing selected Air Force officers, enlisted members, and civilians at accredited civilian universities, hospitals, and leading industries to pursue advanced degrees and programs. For more information, please visit www.afit.edu/CIP.
LEAP is a volunteer program open to Active-Duty officer and enlisted Airmen in most career fields. LEAP deliberately develops language enabled, cross-cultural service members with working-level foreign language proficiency to better support the application of air and space power through strengthening partnerships, interoperability, and adversary understanding. For more information, please visit https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AFCLC/Language-studies/