Foreign exchange pilots call Luke home

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  One may see pilots around base wearing the familiar green U.S. Air Force flightsuit, but at a closer look, something seems different.

Most likely they are among the select few participating in the Military Personnel Exchange Program.

The MPEP builds, sustains and expands relationships that are critical enablers for our Expeditionary Air and Space Force, said Greg Daniels, 56th Fighter Wing foreign disclosure officer.

"The program started in 1998, and over the years Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Chile, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Denmark and Thailand have participated," he said. "In the future, Luke may also host MPEP officers from Turkey, Jordan, Korea, UAE, Poland, Dominican Republic and Russia."

The Air Force goals of the program include promoting mutual understanding and trust, enhance interoperability, strengthen air force to air force ties, and develop long-term professional and personal relationships.

Luke currently hosts exchange officers from Denmark, Germany, Japan, Portugal and Thailand. The program is reciprocal, which enables the United States Air Force to exchange personnel with foreign nations, enhancing the Air Forces' ability to perform coalition operations with global partners.

Unlike Luke's two foreign tenant organizations, the 21st Fighter Squadron and 425th FS, MPEP officers fill actual Air Force billets.

"They're given the same privileges as any United States Air Force officer," Mr. Daniels said. "Yet, they're not assigned to command or other positions that require them to exercise Uniform Code of Military Justice disciplinary authority over U.S. Air Force personnel."

German air force Maj. Markus Kuchenbaur, an F-16 student pilot currently participating in the program, arrived at Luke in July and is currently going through the F-16 transition course to become an instructor in May 2010.

Major Kuchenbaur flew the Tornado Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance jet in Germany. He was a T-38 instructor pilot from 2003 to 2006 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where he completed his initial Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program for German jet pilots in 1995.

According to Mr. Daniels, each candidate goes through an in-depth screening process that includes an evaluation of their English language capabilities. For flying positions, their nomination package includes the individual's flying hours, altitude chamber and centrifuge certification and other special qualifications. Each MPEP officer's tour is two years plus travel and training time.

Major Kuchenbaur said he enjoys the training and people he's met at Luke.

"After being here for four months I can tell that the training program is well organized," he said. "From the class syllabus to the infrastructures and training, it's perfect compared to some German Air Force training facilities. The teaching philosophy, the way to treat and work with people is something that I can take home, and it's a great opportunity to fly different aircraft."

Current MPEP officers:

Japan: Maj. Katsushi Hashimoto, 61st Fighter Squadron

Denmark: Capt. Neils Andersen, 62nd FS

Portugal: Maj. Joao Paulo Raimundo, 309th FS

Germany: Maj. Markus Kuchenbaur, 310th FS

Thailand: Flight Lt. Nakoch Surai, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron