A paratrooper from the Malawi Defense Force gives hand signals during sustained airborne training before executing a foreign exchange airborne operation. The Noncommissioned Officer Academy hosted the Malawi Defense Force from Aug. 1 to 5, in which t...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Leading by example is the common theme at the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Noncommissioned Officer's Academy.

"While many things change, the expectation of a noncommissioned officer does not," said Command Sgt. Maj. Nicolino Parisi, Noncommissioned Officers Academy commandant.

The Warrior Leader Course Class 10-11 made its mark on the history of the NCOA Aug. 1 to 4. The WLC Class 10-11 started with 400 Soldiers and graduated 386. According to Parisi, this is clearly an indication of how well units are preparing their Soldiers for attendance at the home of the airborne and special operations forces.

"This is a testament to the relentless dedication of the cadre and staff at the NCOA," Parisi added.

At this time the NCOA simultaneously hosted a mil-to-mil event, sponsoring the Malawi Defense Force familiarization of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy from Aug. 1 to 5. During the visit, the NCOA conducted briefings for members of the elite Malawi Parachute Battalion that included selection of students, curriculum review, overview of faculty staff procedures, testing requirements and a situational training exercise overview.

The visit culminated in a foreign exchange airborne operation which resulted in 250 paratroopers receiving their Malawi parachutist wings.

Command Sgt. Maj. James Hardy of the Maneuver Center of Excellence also participated in the forums and airborne operation and provided comments based upon his experiences and he noted the professionalism of the cadre and staff at the NCOA.

Maj. Gen. Rodney O. Anderson, deputy commanding general, XVIII Abn. Corps and Fort Bragg attended the Warrior Leader's Course graduation ceremony and presented plaques and commander's coins of excellence to Lt. Col. George A. Jaffu, Warrant Officer 1 Daniel A. Mbewe and 1st Sgt. Francis J. Mulowa, of the Malawi Paratroop Battalion.

Mbewe, said he was most inspired by the NCOA's motto, "NCOS Make it Happen," and said, Make it Happen would be the new motto for their unit. Interestingly, the Malawian paratroopers have the same greeting of the day as American paratroopers - "All the Way, Airborne."

"The airborne operation was a combined effort with the 16th Military Police Brigade. There is nothing too hard when you have the support of the XVIII Airborne Corps staff who made this all possible," said Parisi.