Another graduation at Columbus Air Force Base would have been nothing out of the ordinary — 15 occur per year.
But Friday morning, in Kaye Auditorium, there were five foreigners among the 24 graduates: Roberto C. Yanez Vargas of Ecuador, Miquel J. Gaspar of Portugal, Omar Malas of Jordan, Emmanuel Byaruhanga of Uganda and Omar Al-Nuaimi of Iraq.
Al-Nuaimi was the first Iraqi to graduate from the Aviation Leadership Program at Columbus Air Force Base.
At the beginning of the ceremony, lights dimmed, and the audience of about 300 held still as six national anthems played.
Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong, who retired from the Air Force in 2006 after serving as the Columbus base”s commander in 1993, among other roles, told the graduating pilots he had flown over the Jordan River and Portuguese lodges and, as far as he could tell, touched down on every runway in Iraq. He, too, is a pilot, and a CAFB graduate.
“Make no doubt in your mind,” he said, “that your nations are looking for your aviation skills to be the best you can do,” and also for the willingness to step up and take on leadership positions.
He spoke of the importance of possessing qualities valid in every country: physical courage and moral courage.
When Al-Nuaimi walked onto the stage to receive his silver wings and shake hands with base leaders, Foglesong told him Iraq was beginning a new chapter in its history, and “he just happens to be part of that,” Foglesong would say later. “He”s part of that process.”
Foglesong also said he told Al-Nuaimi he admired the young pilot”s courage to train in America.
“We were raised to hate you for no reason,” Al-Nuaimi would say after the graduation ceremony. “But then, after three years I spent (in America), I learned that I lived with a big lie.”
He had come to believe “Americans are wonderful people,” he said.
Falah Al-Obaidi, 27, has known Al-Nuaimi for a decade. They met in the Iraqi Air Force. Al-Obaidi hopes to graduate from CAFB later this year. If he does, he would be the second Iraqi to graduate from the base.
He and Al-Nuaimi plan to return to Iraq and serve again in the country”s Air Force. They hope to share with Iraqi pilots the lessons they have learned at CAFB.
“We hope (for) peace and we get back on our feet as we were back in the eighties,” Al-Obaidi said. “We look forward to the smile on our children”s faces. And hopefully we get rid of the terrorists, we get back like safe and peace.”
Byaruhanga, of Uganda, said he is proud to have gotten through the program. “You really become proud of yourself, and it”s something very, very important to me.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
