| The Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) | | | | League of Wichita Falls was the first sponsor and |
| Steering Committee met at Sheppard Air Force Base | | | | continues after more than 44 years of service to the |
| (SAFB), TX during the week of September 21 through | | | | program. In 1979 the Royal Netherlands Air Force |
| September 25. This event brought together Air | | | | joined the program and their sponsors continue to |
| Force personnel and civilians from many NATO | | | | work with the Dutch. ENJJPT was formed in 1981 |
| Countries. During the day the attendees worked | | | | with 12 nations participating. Currently there is a |
| through discussions on the subject of aircraft, | | | | sponsor for each country. Three of the current |
| personnel, finances, air space, and all areas of the | | | | sponsors have been involved from the onset of this |
| Memorandum of Understanding. During the evening | | | | program. |
| hours various functions were scheduled for the | | | | Â |
| attendees. This year, Monday evening took the | | | | The goal of the Steering Committee is to work out the |
| group to Burkburnett for a dinner hosted by the | | | | details for the ENJJPT syllabus for the next few |
| Sheppard Military Affairs Committee and the ENJJPT | | | | years. They have been meeting two times a year |
| Country Sponsors. Food was provided by the | | | | for the last twenty eight years. The committee will |
| Burkburnett Roustabouts.  Danny Taylor headed the | | | | meet again in Wichita Falls in the spring of 2010. The |
| support team from the City of Burkburnett and the | | | | fall meeting will return to Europe, which is the normal |
| Burkburnett Independent School District. Robin | | | | meeting place for the September meeting. |
| Thompson Scales and Tom Whaylen coordinated the | | | | Â |
| event. Â Lt. Col. Taz Washington of the 80th FTW | | | | The importance of the ENJJPT Program to SAFB and |
| gave excellent assistance from SAFB. | | | | the North Central Texas Area cannot be measured in |
| The week ended with an ENJJPT graduation Friday | | | | dollars alone, although it has exceeded over 68 million |
| evening. Students from several NATO Countries | | | | per year. The coalition these countries bring together |
| graduated. Brig. Gen, Franco Marisiglia, the Italian who | | | | in a training program is invaluable to the pilots when |
| heads the Steering Committee spoke to the | | | | they leave SAFB and return to their countries. |
| graduates. | | | | Knowing each other, working together provides the |
| Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | | | perfect union to protect the many home fronts. |
| During the week the ENJJPT Steering Committee | | | | Â |
| Members and the spouses who attended the event | | | | As the area bids farewell to this international group of |
| were entertained by their country sponsors. The | | | | visitors we wish them well in their travels and look |
| Country Sponsor program was initiated by Dr. James | | | | forward to giving them a true Texas Howdy next |
| T Montgomery in the late 1960’s following the | | | | spring. |
| arrival of the German Air Force Pilots. The Junior | | | | |