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Dover supports Latin American Cadet Initiative

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zoe Wockenfuss
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 436th Airlift Wing hosted 22 cadets from 11 Latin American countries in support of the Latin American Cadet Initiative October 15, 2018, at Dover AFB.

The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs began the LACI program in 2006, which extends an invitation to the top two senior cadets from up to 15 Latin American air force academies for a three-and-a-half week visit to the United States to learn from different branches of the U.S. military.

“For me, this has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build lifelong relationships with cadets from all over Latin America,” said Jean Louis Torres Herrera, a cadet at the Dominican Air Force academy. “I feel honored to be a part of this program and to build and [extend] international relationships.”

Two cadets from each of the following countries were selected to participate in this year’s program: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay and Perú.

During their visit to Dover AFB, the cadets toured a C-5M Super Galaxy and a C-17 Globemaster III while aircrew members explained the mission and capabilities of the aircraft.

“Introducing the United States and its complex processes early in an officer’s career becomes important in the long-term cooperation between nations,” said Lt. Col. Donald Landgrebe, Country Director, Under Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs, America-Africa Division. “Anytime we can increase understanding and cooperation, this furthers our cooperative objectives. LACI will shape the cadet’s perspectives and understanding of the U.S.”