Sheppard's international training mission expands with Saudi agreement

  • Published
  • By Capt. Brittany Martin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  At the end of last year, the Royal Saudi Air Force signed an agreement with the United States to purchase 84 F-15SA jets, upgrade its current F-15 jets, and receive training to maintain and fly the jets. Brig. Gen. Darryl Burke, 82nd Training Wing commander, explained what the agreement means for Sheppard Air Force Base Jan. 20.

The agreement will stretch over the next six years until 2019. The number of students passing through Sheppard will increase by about 4,000 during those years with an additional 200-400 students being present on the base on any given day. The agreement will include funds to improve dormitories for the trainees and to provide additional instructors.

Because Sheppard has been providing instruction to international partners for years, this agreement serves to expand, not drastically change the base's training mission. In 2011, Sheppard conducted training for 42 nations, with 121 nations receiving instruction in the history of Sheppard's training, beginning with 100 Free French maintenance students in 1943.

"It's a continuation of what we've been doing for about 70 years," Burke said.

Burke explained that the Royal Saudi Air Force has been a training partner for 25 years, and the new Foreign Military Sales agreement is another piece to the long-term relationship.

"We have a great partnership with the Royal Saudi Air Force, and this will strengthen that," he said.

The agreement is for the Saudi students to train as the U.S. Air Force trains, so they will be working alongside U.S. Air Force trainees. The general expects trainees from both countries to benefit from the cultural exchange. With the help of an International Military Student Office, the Saudi trainees will also get to experience some U.S. culture.

"They will get to experience the great North Texas hospitality," he said. "We'll benefit from the cultural exchange with the Middle East."

The RSAF trainees will participate in more than 15 courses taught by the 82nd TRW both at Sheppard and three of its detachments. All three 82nd TRW training groups will be involved.

Currently, Sheppard is hosting approximately 20 Saudi students through other programs; the students training under this agreement are expected to begin arriving as early as this summer.