9th ARS hosts foreign pilots in exchange program

  • Published
  • By Capt. Elizabeth Duca
  • 9th Air Refueling Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The vast expeditionary mission of the United States Air Force puts Airmen in contact with people from all over the world.

The Military Personnel Exchange Program is one opportunity to provide just that, and the 9th Air Refueling Squadron happens to hosts two foreign exchange officers.

Maj. Patrick Van Dam, Royal Netherlands air force, and Flight Lt. Greg Ferguson, Royal Australian air force, have been flying with the 9th ARS for the past two years.

"Their contributions filling mission for the 60th Air Mobility Wing is phenomenal and their non-flying duties are stacked with field-grade responsibilities," said Lt. Col. Mark Robinson, 9th ARS Commander.

Both of these pilots flew multiple aircraft before arriving at the 9th ARS. Van Dam was an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot for eight-and-a-half years. He also flew the KDC-10 Tanker and was an instructor in the Pilatus PC-7. Ferguson flew the Boeing 737 as a pilot for the prime minister of Australia.

Both pilots volunteered to deploy twice in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.

"My favorite mission was my first deployment," Ferguson said. "It was my first operational mission in the KC-10 Extender and my first sortie as an aircraft commander. I felt proud knowing I was helping support other Aussies who were on the ground in Afghanistan."
Having the officers hosted by the 9th ARS provides other Airmen in the squadron with the opportunity to learn more about other nations' militaries and cultures.

If anyone is unsure where Ferguson is from, all they have to do is ride on a flight. Every sortie he hangs the Australian flag and brings a small inflatable kangaroo along for the ride. One aircrew even refueled Dutch F-16s from Van Dyke's old unit. The crew said the commonality with people you usually only get to talk to over the radio has been exciting.

The Royal Netherlands air force has been participating in the pilot exchange program for many years, and it was an opportunity that Van Dam and his family could not pass up. Ferguson, on the other hand, claims he found it on the back of a steak house menu. The 9th ARS members find that hard to believe, but either way they are happy to have him on the team.

There is no doubt the two of these pilots left an indelible impression on the squadron.

"I am proud to serve alongside them as an ally and we are very fortunate to have them as squadron mates," Robinson said.

Unfortunately, like every assignment, it must come to an end. Ferguson will be returning to Australia in December 2012 and Van Dam will return to the Netherlands in 2014.

The 9th ARS thanks them for all their contributions to the squadron and the Air Force mission.