Joint training program offers international teamwork

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program offers something no other flying training curriculum around the world can contest - an early sense of joint operations.

From day one of the program, pilots are training along side international students and trained by international instructors. Taking it a step further, some of those pilots, such as U.S. Maj. Tab Brinkman and Norwegian Capt. Lars Holten, bring something more valuable to the training table.

The two graduated from ENJJPT, flew combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and are now bringing those experiences back to the classroom. Major Brinkman graduated in 2000 and Captain Holten graduated in 1995.

"ENJJPT is fundamental," said Captain Holten, an introduction to fighter fundamentals instructor. "You get used to being in an international environment."

The Norwegian captain said that is important because pilots could work with several different nationalities in the field. For example, as an F-16 pilot in Afghanistan, he said he would be in contact with U.S. aircraft or ground troops during most missions.

At Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, Captain Holten said the base was operated by U.S. forces, but Dutch, Danish and Norwegian air forces also operated from the base.

"You never knew when you were out there which guys you would support unless it was a scheduled escort," Captain Holten said.

Major Brinkman, an A-10 Thunderbolt II driver, split time between missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Most of the combat action he saw - 180 combat hours and 69 missions - was in Iraq providing ground support for units fighting during the early days of the war and then the insurgency.

The major said while in Afghanistan, he flew missions with Italians, Germans, Dutch and Australians. Not only did his training prove to be valuable, but also built up his comfort level of working with international partners.

"ENJJPT fostered camaraderie with other countries," he said. "Having worked with NATO before, I already had a confidence in other nations' abilities."

Major Brinkman said when he attended the program as a student, he realized the pilots weren't different other than where they were from. They were trained on the same curriculum and expected to accomplish the same requirements.

Both instructors said they share their experiences with students so they can get an idea of what their future looks like.

"Even though this is a scripted training environment, we try to bring real-world experiences (to the classroom)," Captain Holten said.

The NATO partners learned the awesome necessity for air power during their stints in joint operations as dropped chafe, flares, guns and dropped a few bombs. The pilots said that a mere show of force was enough to make the enemy withdraw and disengage ground forces.

With more and more operations launching from a joint environment, the importance of an international training environment is one that can't be measured. Major Brinkman and Captain Holten attested to the valuable experience of learning to fly with international partners before performing in an actual combat zone.

That importance and knowledge has transcended 25 years now, and looks to strengthen in the future.

"It's about being prepared," Captain Holten said he tells students. "Don't think you're doing this for fun."