Photo By Tech. Sgt. Heather Ley | From left, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Burris, 336th Training Support Squadron...... read more read more
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In an era where global threats are increasingly complex, only two percent of Air Force personnel are proficient in a foreign language. Beyond translation, language skills foster cultural understanding, build trust and serve as an essential element to mission success.
The Air Force recognized two Airmen- one officer and one enlisted- for using their exceptional skills to make a tangible impact on missions. Lt. Col. Andrew Burris, 336th Training Support Squadron commander, and Staff Sgt. Maria Moskvichova, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron operations manager, were named the 2024 Air Force Language Capable Airmen of the Year in the officer and enlisted categories.
Moskvichova was born in Ukraine, raised in a bilingual household learning both Ukrainian and Russian simultaneously.
“I grew up learning both [languages] at the same time. I can't really tell which one I'm more proficient in, but I prefer Ukrainian. It's just more melodic,” Moskvichova explained.
When Moskvichova was five, her parents provided a private English tutor, which proved invaluable when she moved to the United States at age 15.
For Burris, language was a personal passion rather than a requirement. He studied Spanish all throughout high school and even minored in it in college.
“Languages have always been something that really interested me,” said Burris. “Even before, as a cadet in ROTC, I was researching the Foreign Area Officer program and thinking ‘that's something I want to do once I get into the Air Force.’ I wanted to learn a new language and use it, and I loved the cultural part of it and the diplomatic part of it.”
Both Airmen eventually applied to the Language Enabled Airmen Program. Burris was selected for Arabic, while Moskvichova was given Slovenian.
For Moskvichova, she initially applied to LEAP for the professional growth opportunities, but when the war in Ukraine began, she felt an added responsibility to use her language skills in support of the mission.
Prior to joining LEAP, Burris attended the Defense Language Institute, learning Arabic over the course of 18 months through the FAO program. Moskvichova taught herself Slovenian with the help of LEAP-provided online sessions with native speakers.
“Being an integral part of the mission is the most rewarding,” Moskvichova stated. “As an interpreter, you play an important role of relaying the message exactly how the sender intended. There’s a lot of responsibility that falls on you, and you’re directly impacting the mission.”
That impact was clear for Burris during a joint Airfield Damage Repair exercise with Emirati military engineers at the Al Dhafra Air Base. Burris not only guided participants through the exercise in Arabic but also seized the chance to speak directly with a general observing the event.
He asked about access to an EOD disposal range they had been denied for years. Within months, access was granted.
“Operationally, that was a big thing for us at Al Dhafra,” Burris said. “I don’t think it would have happened if it weren’t for that general being there and me being there to ask him about it.”
Airmen who speak another language don’t just act as interpreters; they also provide cultural insight to their teammates. From understanding local customs to recognizing the importance of learning simple greetings, these skills build the foundation for a successful partnership.
“As we find ourselves needing to operate abroad in cooperation with other counties, their willingness and excitement to work with us increases if we can show them that we’ve put effort into understanding them, beyond just a ‘yes’ or a ‘no,’” Burris explained. “You can make a pretty big difference with just a greeting in the host nation language. They don't expect fluency, but it makes a big difference if they see that you're meeting them halfway.”
Their experiences also highlight that their language learning isn’t just about communication, it’s about shaping the way Airmen think and how they approach challenges. For Moskvichova, switching between languages has changed the way she approaches and solves problems.
“I think in English most of the time, speak English every day at work, and most of what I see on my phone is in English,” said Moskvichova. “But not everything translates from one language to the next. It’s made me think outside the box and approach in ways you wouldn’t normally.”
Burris echoed that sentiment, adding that his experiences overseas reshaped his own leadership style.
“Working with folks from other countries, has really broadened my perspective,” said Burris. “I try to convey that to my team, that we may not have a perfect understanding of where other folks are coming from, but putting in the effort to see their perspective actually makes our job easier in supporting them.”
With fewer than two percent of Airmen possessing these critical skills, Burris and Moskvichova hope their stories inspire others to see language as more than words, but as a bridge to connection, understanding and mission success.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2025 16:22 |
| Story ID: | 549453 |
| Location: | FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fairchild Airmen recognized for outstanding language skills, by SrA Morgan St Marks, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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