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| Home Front: Politix |
| International cadets here to learn |
| 2006-06-23 |
| By TOM ROEDER THE GAZETTE Two new cadets at the Air Force Academy already know all about America’s ability to make war. Haider al-Abadi of Iraq and Abdul Qayum of Afghanistan just came from the front lines. They’re the first students from their nations to be accepted into the academy’s four-year program for foreign students and have seen firsthand how U.S. forces are battling to bring democracy to their homelands. “My goal here is to learn something to help my people,” Qayum said Thursday, his first day at the academy. For 40 years, the Pentagon has allowed allied nations to send a limited number of students to the academy. The foreign cadets get the same training and tough freshman-year treatment as their American counterparts, but head home after graduation to serve in their armed forces. For Abadi, going to school in America was an impossible dream. His family lives in a Sunnidominated neighborhood of southern Baghdad and his father flew in the Iraqi air force in that country’s war with neighboring Iran. The 19-year-old has heard stories of what American air power did to his nation’s air force in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. “The Gulf War really destroyed our air force,” he said. “It was no match.” Abadi said he’s befriended many American soldiers and Marines since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime. But he doesn’t hide his belief that America should have taken bigger steps after the invasion to quell the insurgency. “I don’t hate America, but I don’t agree with some of the tactics that were used,” he said. Qayum’s family was able to return to their homeland only after the 2001 U.S. invasion that ended the Taliban’s reign. “We were there for one month when the Taliban took power,” he said. “We left when we saw they were killing people for no reason.” Qayum and Abadi, who will start basic training next week with 18 other foreign cadets and more than 1,300 American students, know they’re taking a risk by coming to study with the U.S. military. Insurgents in their countries have often targeted the families of those cooperating with Americans. “I fear it, but I am not afraid of sacrificing for the good of my country,” Abadi said. Academy leaders see a chance to expand relations with enemies turned friends. “The biggest thing is it will build friendships that will last for life,” said Maj. Bradley Hince, who was walking the foreign cadets through their first day at the academy. “They’ll be the generals in their countries some day.” Posted in full. Link isn't good past today. |
| Posted by:Old Patriot |
| #3 |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-06-23 17:00 |
| #2 |
| Posted by: buwaya 2006-06-23 16:19 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-06-23 16:14 |