65th ENJJPT Steering Committee ends on high note Published March 25, 2013 By 2nd Lt. Meredith Hein 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program concluded its semi-annual Steering Committee meeting here March 22 amidst expectation of extending the Memorandum of Understanding to keep the ENJJPT program at Sheppard. The 65th Steering Committee addressed such issues as training curriculum, financial oversight and operations for ENJJPT. German Air Force Brig. Gen. Helmut Schuetz presided over the five-day meeting as the committee's chairman. "We are a big step further and are about to solve many of the issues we've had for good," said Schuetz. "Financial issues or otherwise will not prevent us from training the best pilots in the world." The committee announced steps taken towards extending the Memorandum of Understanding that governs ENJJPT at Sheppard, which currently expires in 2016, an additional 10 years. "I'm very happy that we will have training here at Sheppard," Schuetz said. "I earned my wings here in 1982 and this has been a wonderful event to come back to." Over 50 representatives from 11 partner nations attended this week's committee, which was held at the Sheppard Club. There are many challenges ahead for the program, said Schuetz, including an aging T-38 fleet. The committee has also been working to amend the program syllabus, to include potentially decreasing flight hours to reduce costs while maintaining the same training standards. Other interest items discussed by the committee included the possibility of adding Poland to the program, Schuetz said. "I would look forward to working with Poland if they join," said Schuetz. "The mutual benefits of working with NATO are very great." The next steering meeting is scheduled for September in the Netherlands.