Expanding Cultural Awareness Education

In conjunction with the War on Terror (WOT), the Air Force (AF) is currently a part of a coalition force conducting nation-building operations and combating insurgency in Iraq. These efforts are complicated because the AF and other forces are unable to interact with the nation it is there to support. This complication will carry over into the WOT in other countries where the AF may conduct operations. The context of the opposing organizations, the societal setting, and conflicting ideology on all sides has a significant influence on how forces conduct operations against an adversary and in proximity of native peoples. Understanding of this broad contextual framework--cultural awareness--is necessary to overcome challenges to, and opportunities for, operational success.