11/2/2012 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Many
people know about Luke Air Force Base's foreign units the 425th Fighter
Squadron, and the 21st FS, but there are other foreign officers here as
part of an international exchange program.
The Military Personnel Exchange Program has given one pilot with the Belgian air force the opportunity to come here to learn, as well as help teach new B-course students.
Belgian Commandant Michael Artiges, 308th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, was selected from five candidates for two exchange positions, one in Portugal and one in the U.S.
This is not his first time in the U.S. as a pilot. In 1996, Artiges spent nine months as a B-Course student in Tucson learning to fly with the Arizona National Guard.
The Military Personnel Exchange Program has given one pilot with the Belgian air force the opportunity to come here to learn, as well as help teach new B-course students.
Belgian Commandant Michael Artiges, 308th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, was selected from five candidates for two exchange positions, one in Portugal and one in the U.S.
This is not his first time in the U.S. as a pilot. In 1996, Artiges spent nine months as a B-Course student in Tucson learning to fly with the Arizona National Guard.
"My experience in Tucson was to help the Belgian air force better understand how training in the U.S. was compared to ours," he said. "There are more flying days and other differences we used to better our program. Unfortunately, after about five classes they canceled the program."
This time is different for Artiges since he brought his family.
"It's a challenge being back," he said. "When you're alone, it's easy to fix the small things that come up, but now with the family here, it's a different ballgame. It was challenging for my family at the beginning, but now that school is fixed and the children are in classes, my wife has been able to return to school to better her English."
Living in the U.S. was a goal for Artiges and his wife, but the process to get here took him a few tries.
"This was not my first time applying to the program," he said. "I tried before with no luck. My wife and I were hoping to get into the program, specifically the position in the U.S., and finally we got it."
Now as part of the Emerald Knights he is going through familiarization training.
"I am almost done with my initial training," he said. "The training is to familiarize me with the aircraft I will be flying here. After that, I will start my instructor pilot training and soon after begin training incoming pilots."
Source: Luke Air Force Base
Best regards,
Daniel
