Sheppard's own instructs Kabul's 1st POL course

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Thirty-three days of technical instruction in petroleum, oil and lubricants doesn't seem like a daunting task. Throw in a language barrier, limited training aids and a halfway-completed curriculum and anyone might start to question whether or not it will get finished. 

But one Sheppard POL instructor took on that challenge, resulting in the graduation of the first Afghan POL class Aug. 6 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Master Sgt. Tracey Wolfe, a fuels complex instructor at the 364th Training Squadron. 

"The curriculum was 50 percent complete when I arrived. I completed that portion as well as conducting outside-the-wire fuel tours to get my Afghan instructor up to speed before the first class commenced," said Master Sgt. Tracey Wolfe, a fuels complex instructor at the 364th Training Squadron.

Sergeant Wolfe said he taught the students various subjects including: information safety, vehicle inspection, facility inspection, forms and fueling operations through two blocks of instruction over a 33-day period.

He said he did all of this while mentoring an Afghan instructor who is scheduled to start teaching in September, he said. 

Master Sgt. Jefferson Guillory, the fuels flight chief for the 364th TRS, said there were many challenges that came with instructing the course. 

"One challenge is the language. Master Sgt. Wolfe received approximately 10 days of Dari language at Ft Dix, NJ. He teaches with a translator in the classroom,"he said.

Sergeant Wolfe said another difficulty was ensuring everyone's safety.

"Take all (of) your training very seriously (because it) saves lives. Taliban insurgents have repeatedly tried to disrupt our efforts through improvised explosive devices and rocket attacks. Your training gets you through those stressful times. Have faith in your fellow Airmen, because (they) are all you have in the combat zone," he said.

Sergeant Guillory said Sergeant Wolfe risked his life for the sake of efficient instruction for his students.

"He took them to an off-post fuels facility for training outside the wire on two occasions. They utilized two operational Oshkosh (vehicles) for daily mission support operations and for the driving issue objectives," he said.

Sergeant Wolfe said although the class he instructed was small, the impact those students will have is tremendous. 

"This is very significant. The Afghan Air Corps is making monumental milestones everyday in developing air power for their country. This was just a piece of that overall puzzle. Of my students, two are working at the fuels shop here at Kabul. The other five were sent to conduct fuels operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan," he said.

"The Afghan's literally have nothing; no public works, lack of food (and) medicine, et cetera. (Now they) have started flying all Afghan aircrew missions since I have been here, to include aerial (medical evacuation) missions. None of that would be possible without the fuels operators on the ground," he said.

Sergeant Wolfe saw to it that his students received the best training he could give despite the risks involved because he supported the mission he was tasked to fulfill.

"Everything we do, every single day, has a positive impact, not only on the people, but the mission as well," he said.

He said he feels that this is truly the chance of a lifetime for any service member.