Senior airman interprets for Kyrgyzstani guests Published Sept. 8, 2009 By Steve Berry 375th Airlift Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Senior Airman Islam Mammadbayov transports distinguished visitors when they visit Scott. Last month he was tasked to translate between a visiting Russian speaking dignitary and his Scott hosts. Senior Airman Mammadbayov, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron, interpreted English for Kubanychbek Isabekov, vice speaker of Kyrgyzstan Parliament, during his visit to Scott Aug. 14-17 with his wife, Gulbarchin. The Isabekov's toured Scott, including U.S. Transportation Command, and other St. Louis area sites--always with Airman Mammadbayov there to interpret English into Russian and vice versa. "I was with them all day at all times," Airman Mammadbayov said. In the morning he would pick up Col. Christopher Bence, Deputy J3 director of operations for USTRANSCOM , and Mr. Isabekov, and they would begin their day. Colonel Bence said Airman Mammadbayov helped make this visit successful. "Senior Airman Mammadbayov did an outstanding job both as the interpreter as well as professionally representing the United States and the Air Force. He handled several complex translation sessions, including the office call with Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek, interpreting the USTRANSCOM mission brief, and even translating the "How the Arch was Built" movie and Museum of Western Expansion guided tour by a U.S. Park Ranger ... not the normal," he said. Senior Airman Mammadbayov said this was the first time he had served as an official Air Force interpreter, although he had previously interpreted for his father, who works for an international construction contracting company. Senior Airman Mammadbayov's mother is Russian and his father is American. He lived in Russia until he was 11, and considers English his second language. "It's basically an auxillary language," he said. "Russian is my number one language, that's what I was born with." He keeps his Russian language speaking skills sharp by reading Russian news online and speaking with his mother. He said translating the USTRANSCOM brief was challenging, but after the first few slides he got into a groove. "I put my mind in the right mindset," he said. The Airman said he likes interpreting because he is very sociable and he likes helping people. "I love showing people the good aspects of this country when they come here," he said. ""You are one of the few people who can actually help them out. "I basically represented the U.S. military and I think he (Mr. Isabekov) left with a great impression." Senior Airman Mammadbayov hopes to continue interpreting in the future.