NATO-Link Orientation

  • Published
  • By Second Lieutenant Sara Harper
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Nineteen spouses from six partnering NATO nations joined together for the second annual NATO-Link orientation hosted by Theresa Bareihs, the 80th Flying Training Wing Commander's spouse, May 15.

The orientation mirrored the annual spouse tour hosted by the Airman and Family Readiness Center for military spouses and is designed to help ease the transition for international families accompanying military members participating in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.

Most military families will face a move or PCS while serving, but these families face additional challenges as they deal with moving to a foreign country, being immersed in a different culture and struggling through the PCS process while speaking a second language.

"The agenda was streamlined based on specific issues that our international spouses may face during the course of their stay here at Sheppard Air Force Base. It was an opportunity for them to hear from the experts and to ask questions," Bareihs said.

Sheppard Air Force Base has a long history of international training through both the 82nd Training Wing and the 80th FTW. Over the years, Sheppard has provided training for more than 140 partner nations; however, the 80th FTW international environment is unique as the ENJJPT program is a one of a kind multi-national operation managed by NATO.

The orientation worked to address some of the unique challenges faced by the families with an agenda full of guest speakers from both the base and local community who each provided a short brief to the ladies and answered questions.

Speakers included, Mike Wenk, Sheppard's school liaison officer; Darlene Newsome, representing TRICARE; Kerrie Cale, a representative from Midwestern State University International Services; Leslie Pena, Sheppard Entomology, who discussed Texas critters; and Trooper Tony Fulton, Department of Public Safety, who briefed on obtaining a drivers license and rules applicable to citizens of other countries.

The spouses were also briefed on support groups and services available to military families through the A&FRC and spouses groups.

"The Sheppard Officer's Spouses Club is a great support system, and it gives all spouses an opportunity to get involved and give back to the military community," said Brooke Christianson, president of the Sheppard Officer Spouses Club and one of the morning's speakers. "These ladies can answer questions and form a support system to welcome new spouses not only to the base but also the country."

Security procedures were highlighted during the briefings. Operational security and the role of family were discussed by 2nd Lt. Christina Buchholz, 80th FTW OPSEC officer, and Senior Airman Codey Barber, NCO in charge of Police Services, briefed emergency procedures, speed limits on base, gate hours and prohibited off-base establishments. Barber fielded questions about CAC card registration, storing privately owned weapons and visitor passes for international family members.

In addition to the NATO-link orientation, the 80th FTW partners with the community to provide international students and instructors with country sponsors, members from the local area who help students and families get settled, and are essentially the go-to person for questions and help.

The ENJJPT program has 13 partner nations, seven of which send instructor and student pilots to Sheppard to participate in the program: Canada, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the U.S.