Air Force officials believe that knowledge of a foreign language and cultural understanding are “critical enablers of global air and space operations.” USAF has a language and area studies immersion program that builds on foreign language training by providing an intense four- to six-week course in a foreign country, including excursions to speak with natives and learn their culture. USAF has taught 40 languages at 39 locations and plans in 2006 to teach 19 languages in 18 countries. The course, which is open to line officers in any career field, is part of USAF’s International Affairs Specialist Program. Want to learn more, go here.
The White House announced its United States Space Priorities Framework in a document released concurrently with Vice President Kamala Harris' first National Space Council meeting. Listed among five U.S. priorities is to “defend its national security interests from the growing scope and scale of space and counterspace threats.”