International cultures and Cadets join forces

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) will be hosting an International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) program over the period 20 July to 7 August 2013. This is an exciting youth development program which will see 36 Air Force cadets from Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Turkey, Belgium, United Kingdom and America enjoying a two week educational tour of Australia. 

All the cadets have been selected on their leadership attributes and ability to represent their respective organisations and countries during the overseas cadet exchange. The group of international cadets will be escorted by senior staff from around the world. The Australian IACE Detachment Commander, Wing Commander (AAFC) Tony Lee has been organising these exchanges for seven years and said he enjoyed the interaction of the various cultures and nationalities.

“Technology today allows cadets to keep in contact with the push of a button and so cadets have remained life-long mates,” he said. 

“It also proves that people from all different cultures can get along and respect each other. By the end of the 14days they are definitely one team and an international family.” 

The international cadets will visit significant Australian landmarks and cultural sites including Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains, Australian War Memorial, Australian Defence Force Academy, Parliament House, Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast highlights. 

Throughout the tour the international cadets will also interact with past and present members of the Royal Australian Air Force, veterans from the Air Force Association, and other young members of the AAFC. As a part of the program, the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown AO (also a former Air Force Cadet) will meet the cadets. Boeing Australia provides substantial sponsorship to the Cadet Cultural Exchange Program. 

At the same time as the international tour commences in Australia, a group of Australian Air Force Cadets will travel overseas to various countries on a similar two week cultural exchange program. 

For more information about Australian Air Force Cadets and how to contact a cadet squadron, visit www.aafc.org.au.

Media contact:

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999