LEAP Forward: Breaking Down Language Barriers in Joint Military Operations

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.

Security Cooperation and Capacity Building

Published April 13, 2026
By Office of the Assistant Secretary for Strategies, Plans and Capabilities

How effective are defense capacity building programs at expanding and enabling a network of likeminded, capable, and interoperable allies and partners to perform desired roles and achieve regional security objectives?

Belcher, Brandon, "Special Operations in Somalia: Strategies for Success in the Horn of Africa," AFGC thesis, 2025, 36 pgs.
- Belcher assesses that US capacity-building efforts—such as the 127e program—have successfully produced the highly trained Danab commando brigade, which excels at clearing territory. However, he points out that this capacity building falls short in the long term because the broader Somali National Army only has about 20,000 troops—far short of the estimated 169,000 needed to secure a non-permissive environment. Because they lack the numbers to hold the territory once the Danab brigade leaves, Belcher argues that capacity-building resources must be expanded to adequately equip and train these larger conventional forces.