U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa
April 3, 2023

Ukrainian NCOs, CMSAF, visit and study in the KMC

Noncommissioned officers from Ukraine’s Air Force and National Guard, along with the Ukrainian Armed Forces Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, visited and studied in the Kaiserslautern Military Community for three weeks in March 2023.

The Inter-European Air Force Academy on Kapaun Air Station, Germany, hosted 49 Ukrainian NCOs for a three-week course – marking the first time IEAFA has offered a course designed for and offered to only Ukrainian forces.

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Ukraine’s military is undergoing a shift from a soviet-era ranking system that is commissioned officer-centric to a more western-style rank and tier structure, focusing heavily on the enlisted force, particularly the NCO corps.

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On average, IEAFA holds 7 to 8 courses per year to a multitude of international students. This course, however, was uniquely tailored to meet Ukrainian learning objectives.

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All 49 students returned to Ukraine to rejoin their fellow service members after graduating from the IEAFA course on March 23, 2023.

Along with the 49 IEAFA students, the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kostiantyn Stanislavchuk, came along for the three-week visit.