The International Honour Roll: Air University

Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama, traces its roots to the Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS) located at Maxwell Field from 1931 to 1942. After World War II, as the independent Air Force was formed, grew, expanded and developed, the requirements and expectations of the school evolved to fulfill the service’s educational needs.

The vision of pre-World War II leaders has sustained the test of time. More than eight decades later, since the founding of the ACTS, the present ten-month curriculum still focuses on expanding the understanding of air and space power and on the growth of mid-career officers. In 1962, the school became known by its current name, Air Command and Staff College.

Under the International Military education and training (IMET) United States offers to train future leaders to build a future ready alliance creating a better understanding of the U.S. military and our military, on professional military education. Air Command and Staff College is one such programme offered to Sri Lanka. The Air Command and Staff College is a rigorous residential tenmonth graduate-level programme that covers the profession of arms, leadership, ethics, joint operations, airpower, and the international security environment.

The programme also conducts research that explores topics of varying interests. On successful completion who meet all curriculum and criteria, requirements of the ACSC Resident Programme are awarded the Masters of Military Operational Art and Science Degree. Many Sri Lanka Air Force officers have followed this course of training.

The International Honour Roll (IHR) is a prestigious tribute to international officer alumni of the Air University who have attained the highest military leadership recognised within their own countries as an Air Chief equivalent or higher civilian capacity.

The Air University, on behalf of the Air Force Chief of Staff, in coordination with the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Office of International Affairs, hosts the IHR Induction Ceremony at Maxwell Air Force Base to recognise those officers that meet IHR induction criteria. IHR has been an initiative of the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General John

L. Piotrowski, in 1985, and designed by the International Officer School to facilitate seniorleader military engagement with international partners and build upon global alliances. The programme has since inducted 472 international officers from 97 different nations. Any qualified international alumni who had ever attended the Air University courses since the first allied officer students in 1946 have been inducted. Every inductee’s name and their highest position held is permanently inscribed on a plaque in the dedicated IHR room, located at the International Officer School and similarly at the Maxwell Club.

During the last induction Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, Air University commander and director, said the induction is one of his favorite occasions because it celebrates the investment made to procure a peaceful future and the partnership and friendship we share with our allies.

“This is a celebration that is joined not by just the military, but the community who understand that the foundation of defense is a civilization that believes in a peaceful use of power,” he said.

Air University recognised the achievements of 26 alumni with their induction into the International Honour Roll here, April 7, 2017. The nations represented at the last investiture in 2017 were Botswana, Bulgaria, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Japan, Latvia, Republic of Macedonia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan, that give proper recognition to the great leaders and epitomised what nations can do when forged by enduring bonds.

“Our strength, our collective strength will come from personal and professional bonds and how we work together to tackle the incredible challenges facing the global security environment. I’ve said this before and I believe it in my heart, one of our greatest strengths as nations is our ability to form and maintain partnerships.”

The international officers inducted during the last investiture ceremony in 2017 like previous inductees, were honoured with a plaque in the International Officer School’s Honour Roll Room. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said at the last investiture ceremony.