Air Power Lt. Col. Rodrigo Ocampo, Capt. Cassaundra Preston and Workers Sgt. Arnaud Agbo arrived on July 24, 2024, in Morocco able to assist Arcane Thunder 24 with a novel ability set and capabilities that prolonged past conventional army technique. Their workforce targeted on a particular area that has not but been mastered by a bit of know-how – human interactions. The workforce of three volunteered by means of the Language Enabled Airman Program, also called LEAP, to function linguistic and cultural consultants. Their presence supported the mission at hand and deepened the connections between the U.S. and Morocco, showcasing the crucial function of language and cultural integration in joint army operations.
Arcane Thunder 24 was a posh, multi-domain train that examined the interoperability between the U.S. Military and Moroccan Royal Armed Forces. Ocampo and Preston assisted with integration by serving as linguists in the course of the coaching. Agbo moved with groups on the bottom to assist a number of components. Though their uniform might need been totally different than that of the U.S. Military and Moroccan army members they served alongside, they have been an important bridge between the 2.
“Our LEAP companions have been instrumental within the profitable completion of Arcane Thunder 24,” mentioned Lt. Col. Aaron Ritzema, the 2nd Multi-Area Results Battalion commander. “They introduced a excessive degree of cultural and linguistic experience that benefited our each day operations. Moreover, they rounded out our Joint Power and supplied inventive options to train particular challenges.”
As Arcane Thunder 24 unfolded, the airmen solid relationships that assisted each nations. Every of the LEAP students proved to be a helpful addition to the train in distinctive methods.
For Ocampo, Preston, and Agbo, this was their first expertise in a joint train as LEAP students. Preston hails from California and has developed a ardour for journey. Volunteering for LEAP alternatives has allowed her to achieve expertise in several international locations and work alongside different cultures as an advisor throughout operations.
“I noticed LEAP as a chance to journey and expertise totally different cultures,” she mentioned. “We bonded with the Moroccan troopers over meals and over our love of speaking in several languages.”
Whereas talking in regards to the worth of using uniformed service members within the function of cultural consultants, Preston added, “Leaders typically undervalue the significance of tradition, and as LEAP students, we’re in a position to reveal that worth on the organizational degree.”
Ocampo led the workforce of interpreters throughout Arcane Thunder 24, however extra importantly, he constructed a cohesive workforce of trusted consultants inside the employees. His duties ranged from educating and translating cyber area lessons to helping and coordinating occasions for distinguished guests. Ocampo demonstrated the ability of joint operations and integration by extending his data of technical expertise and tradition past the partitions of the tactical operations heart. It was a daily incidence to search out him helping U.S. and Moroccan troopers wherever within the train.
“LEAP offers organizations with students which have a excessive aptitude in each language and tradition,” mentioned Ocampo. “We’re in a position to make use of our expertise to advise on methods to attach with our counterparts from totally different areas and cultures.” Ocampo has served in joint items earlier than however mentioned that he gained a brand new perspective working as a cultural advisor for the 2nd MDEB.
As airmen, all three LEAP students described the necessity to study the Military language initially. Agbo targeted on gaining credibility with each counterparts by volunteering to hitch them on each mission, together with recovering downed gear at evening. “The workforce consisted of the U.S. Air Power, U.S. Military, and the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and we have been all in a position to get collectively as one workforce,” mentioned Agbo. “We have been all equally exhausted, however we knew what we needed to do, and we have been in a position to come collectively and keep motivated to perform the mission.”
Agbo was pivotal as a linguist and cultural professional, making certain that a number of groups obtained linguistic assist at two separate coaching areas throughout Arcane Thunder 24. His dedication to the workforce was highlighted on the remaining dinner by quite a few leaders inside the 2nd MDEB. “Having a constructive mindset and power exhibits those that we’re right here to be part of the workforce,” mentioned Agbo. “When each the Moroccans and U.S. Military are snug with us, we are able to construct the connection and develop a bond that creates a robust workforce.”
Agbo was born and raised in West Africa and emigrated to the US when he was 19. He mentioned he determined to hitch the U.S. Air Power to serve his new nation. “One factor I consider is that for those who discover one thing good, you must all the time attempt to make it higher,” mentioned Agbo. “Serving within the army was my alternative to serve my nation, go away my imprint, and attempt to make my nation higher.”
LEAP solves a generally skilled friction level throughout army workout routines – language and cultural integration. The power multiplier program places uniformed service members within the place to help and improve joint partnerships. The Division of Protection reported roughly 3,500 multi-capable, language-enabled airmen with proficiencies in over 97 languages.
A part of this system maintains deployment readiness for the LEAP students to deploy to assist joint operations worldwide. The distinctive facet of this system is that it brings collectively the U.S. Military, the U.S. Air Power, and worldwide allies and companions.
“This was my first time being embedded in an Military employees,” mentioned Ocampo when requested about his expertise at Arcane Thunder 24. “I obtained to expertise the Military tradition whereas working within the subject with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and I’m actually glad that I obtained to have such a various expertise.”
Arcane Thunder 24 was held in Morocco this yr for the primary time. The train proved to be a step in direction of strengthening the U.S. relationship with Morocco. Integration of the employees components was made extra accessible by inserting airmen as linguists and cultural consultants to be the connective tissue between the U.S. Military and the Moroccan army.
Story by CPT Michael Mastrangelo
Pictures by SSG Rene Rosas
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