Brazilian Air Force (FAB, in Portuguese) Major Julio Cesar Noschang Junior received the Outstanding Academy Educator award for his exceptional work as an instructor at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).
Maj. Noschang teaches at USAFA’s Department of Foreign Languages. He is responsible for the coordination and instruction of Portuguese courses for intermediate and advanced levels, with a focus on Brazilian history, culture, and politics for the latter. He competed for the award against some 40 professors from the academy, among service members and civilians.
In an interview with Diálogo, Maj. Noshang said that he was the first foreigner to receive such an award and emphasized its relevance. “It’s an acknowledgment of Brazilian service members’ capabilities,” he said. “It also symbolizes the pride of representing FAB and Brazil.”
Maj. Noshang also works as a liaison officer for the cadet exchange between the Brazilian Air Force Academy (AFA) and USAFA. “The exchanges help us understand United States Air Force officer training, increase the interaction between AFA and USAFA, and identify possible methods and processes that the Brazilian academy could adopt,” he said.
Maj. Noshang was the second Brazilian to participate as a USAFA instructor officer, since the partnership between both academies started in 2015.
Brazilian service members also stand out in U.S. courses
FAB Technical Sergeant Thiago Mendes Nery, a war material specialist, received an honorary diploma for earning first place in the explosive ordnance disposal course conducted at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, between July 11, 2019 and January 28, 2020. “This is the most recognized explosive ordnance training. I strived to obtain such a valued diploma, as I built unique knowledge and experiences,” Tech. Sgt. Nery told AFA.
The Engineering Department at George Mason University in Washington, D.C., granted FAB Major Felipe Flaminio João the academic excellence award for his high performance in all activities conducted during his degree. The officer pursued a Masters in System Engineering with a focus in C4I (command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence), between July 2018 and May 2020.