Satellite NCOA successful at the 132nd Fighter Wing

Eleven dedicated Airmen from the 132nd Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, Des Moines ANGB, are participating in satellite Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. Non-Commissioned Officer Academy is a professional military education course that is a critical part of building the necessary leadership skills needed as Airmen progress to mid career status NCO's. The satellite NCO academy is an alternative method of receiving this important training. During the home station portion, students live at home, work at their jobs during the day, and attend the academy in the evenings. Upon completion of the home station portion, students will complete their training with a two-week in-residence academy at McGhee-Tyson ANG base Knoxville, TN. Pictured here (left to right) are Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Betts, Tech. Sgt. James Tudor, Tech. Sgt. Trevor Barber, Tech. Sgt. Angela Edwards, Tech. Sgt. Jake Garrison, Staff Sgt. Amanda Sergent, Tech. Sgt. Doug Conroy, Tech. Sgt. John Dluhos, Tech. Sgt. Michael Bailey, Tech. Sgt. Jared Eisenhauer, and Tech. Tech.Sgt. George Strong. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Tim Day)(released)

Satellite NCOA successful at the 132nd Fighter Wing

Published May 6, 2010
By Lowell "Ed" Schellhase Jr.
132nd Fighter Wing, Command Chief

Des Moines, Iowa -- Eleven dedicated Airmen from the 132nd Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, are participating in satellite Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. Non-Commissioned Officer Academy is a professional military education course that is a critical part of building the necessary leadership skills needed as Airmen progress to mid career status NCO's. Traditionally, Airmen would attend a six-week in-residence course or complete a career development course for this training. The satellite NCO academy is an alternative method of receiving this important training. This delivery method uses one-way video broadcast over the Air National Guard Warrior Network satellite system and a two-way interactive audio bridge via telephone lines. The signal is transmitted from the McGhee-Tyson ANG base Training Education Center studios in Knoxville TN. On-site facilitators manage the course and take care of administrative issues while assisting the student along the way.

During the home station portion, students live at home, work at their jobs during the day, and attend the academy in the evenings. This academy session started 23 March meeting on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 1700-2100 hrs in the Civil Engineering classroom until 10 June. The home station portion will be followed by a two-week in-residence academy starting 14 June at McGhee-Tyson ANG base Knoxville, TN culminating in graduation ceremony on 29 June.

The satellite PME facilitators for this class are: Chief Master Sgt. Tim Cochran, Senior Master Sgt. Kim Kiser, Senior Master Sgt. Jim Holwegner, Master Sgt. Kate Schultz, Master Sgt. Geoff Richards, Tech. Sgt. Rob Wetzler, and Tech. Sgt. Warren Page.

This is the fourth satellite NCO academy held at the Des Moines ANG base since the program started. Previous classes were held 2009, 2000, and 1998.