Iraqi native among cadets making history at AFA

20 foreign students start basic, many the 1st from their nation

Fernando Quintero, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 23, 2006 at midnight

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COLORADO SPRINGS - It was a day of firsts at the start of basic training for international cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Haider Al-Abadi of Iraq is the first cadet from his country - one of 20 international students who will join the Class of 2010.

Other countries sending cadets to the academy for the first time include Rwanda, Belize, Colombia, Singapore and Madagascar. The academy introduced the cadets to the media Thursday.

Al-Abadi, a 19-year-old Baghdad native, said he hoped to be a "shining light" in a country struggling to establish a freely elected government while dealing with the daily terror of insurgent attacks.

Abdul Qayum Abdulrashid is the first cadet from Afghanistan. His mother was killed by shrapnel when his family's home was bombed during the Soviet invasion in 1979 to support the crumbling Afghan communist regime.

During the past few months, Taliban fighters have stepped up suicide bombings and assaults throughout the country in an attempt to thwart Afghanistan's U.S.-backed government.

"Afghanistan needs lots of help, and I know that what I learn here will help when I go back to my country," said Abdulrashid, 22.

Carrie Wong, 21, of Belize, was recently crowned Reigning Queen of the Bay, a prestigious title in her homeland.

"There's a song that says Queen of the Bay is a symbol of love and an emblem of freedom. What better way to show that than by joining the military. I feel like I'm setting an example for other young women to follow," said Wong, who was elected student body president at the University of Belize the day she was accepted to the academy.

She also is a member of the scuba club, a champion long-distance runner and a volunteer for an HIV prevention program.

"I was always a tomboy. It's only in the last year during my reign that I've had to wear skirts, put on makeup and do my hair," she added. "I love that I don't have to worry about that here."

After an orientation that included basic nutrition information, the trainees ate lunch in the academy's cavernous mess hall - their choice of breaded shrimp or turkey tetrazzini - and then were issued their first pair of combat boots.

Dany Gatsinzi, of Rwanda, held his new black boots tightly against him.

"I'm so happy. I'm very excited to be here," he said.

"My country has experienced so much fighting, so much poverty, so many political problems. I want to go back and contribute as much as I can to making my country a better place," said the 21-year-old. He was born in Uganda, where his parents lived in exile before returning to Rwanda shortly after the civil war between Tutsis and Hutus.

"My family and my friends are very proud of me," he said. "It feels good to be here."

International relations

20 New foreign cadets

60 Total foreign cadets

1,260 Members of the Class of 2010

• Countries represented by new cadets: Afghanistan, Algeria, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Iraq, Kenya, S. Korea, Madagascar, Oman, Romania, Rwanda, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobego and Tunisia.

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