Education and training flight named best in command

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullet
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MONT. --  The education and training needs of Malmstrom's military and civilian communities are being met and in many cases, exceeded, by the staff at the Education and Training Center here. Doing so has earned them the Nathan Altschuler award as the best education and training flight in Air Force Space Command.

Selected as one of three bases to incorporate the Airman Leadership School, First Term Airmen's Center, Career Assistance Advisor, testing and education center all under one umbrella to form the Airman Development Flight, the combined competencies have enhanced overall customer support.

Tangible accomplishments include graduating the largest class of Community College of the Air Force candidates in Malmstrom Air Force Base history, administering 314 CLEP/DANTES exams which saved more than $100,000 in military tuition assistance money, proctoring 130 university exams, more than 1,400 professional military development, distance learning and career development course exams, and increasing the amount of money available for civilian tuition assistance.

Additionally, the facility itself underwent a complete renovation and modernization. It now has a state-of-the-art computer laboratory for after-hours use by students, as well as many other upgrades that enhance the learning experience for both the students and the teachers.

With the implementation of the National Security Personnel System for civilians at Malmstrom, the education and training flight was tasked with providing and tracking training for more than 500 personnel. This was accomplished in less than 90 days.
The testing office was also cited as being the best in the command, winning the Air Force Personnel Testing Achievement Award.

Malmstrom has the only automated testing data base in the field, creating a benchmark for the Air Force. The many facets of the testing program were showcased at a Test Control Officer conference and it has excelled in several areas. Staff tracked nearly 300 deployed 819th RED HORSE personnel and set up a special testing session upon their return. More than 1,400 personnel were tested for weighted Airmen promotions with no discrepancies; due in part to the development of audit controls for the test books.
Ingrid Callahan, the education services officer, was also recognized with an individual award for overseeing all the things the education and training flight has accomplished and more.

By aggressively managing a $2M budget, she ensured tuition assistance was fully funded.
She personally administered Iowa Basics tests to home schoolers to determine their grade levels in a timely manner.

Due to her efforts, Malmstrom's education and training flight led AFSPC in correcting 141 G.I. Bill status errors resulting in $1,200 being refunded to members affected.
She is also a member of the local education committee and active community volunteer.

"They are the embodiment of a thought by Mr. William Butler Yeates - 'Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire,'" said Lt. Col. Karyn Wright, 341st Mission Support Squadron commander. "Mrs. Callahan and the Education Center staff keep the fire burning."