Dominican Republic air force, Recognition to Eugenio Matos Gomez

FUERZA AEREA DOMINICANA HIGH RECOGNITION TO DR. EUGENIO MATOS GOMEZ. FEB. 15th, 2017.

San Isidro Air Force Base, Santo Domingo.

Awarded to Dr. Matos from the Minister of Defense Lt. General Paulino Sem. Photo album click here: https://goo.gl/photos/LqDokS1aVs4gNRjK9 TO THE DOMINICAN MILITARY SKYDIVING INSTRUCTOR, Dr. Eugenio Matos G. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AIR FORCE. ¨This is a recognition for Dr. Matos´ extraordinary contribution as military skydiving instructor, enhancing our glorious institution¨ said Mayor General Air Force Chief Payan Diaz.

Below, extract of Dr. Eugenio Matos Gomez main achievements leading to his military recognition by the Minister of Defense: Dr. Matos is the first Dominican skydiving instructor graduated in Canada, and amongst the first 13 Dominican Air Force (FAD) skydivers to hold the Canadian Air Force wing and trained at the Canadian Air Force Base in Petawawa, Ontario during NATO´s international exercises held in 1992. Eugenio has logged over 1000 free-fall jumps in his military career, holding the highest skydiving license-rating issued by aviation authorities from the Dominican Republic, the USA and Canada. He is also an airplane pilot with more than 500 flying-hours. The Dominican Minister of Defense Lt. General Paulino Sem awarded him the highest air force recognition during a military parade held on 15th February, 2017 in San Isidro. The FAA (Federal Aviation Agency of the United States) distinguished him with honors for his safety training in Burlington, Vermont.

In 1992 Eugenio was invited to join the Dominican Republic Air Force with the mandate to modernize the teaching and skydiving practice of the institution. Few months later was recorded the first "5-way" military freefall formation ever in San Isidro Air Force Base, with Dr. Matos being part of the skydiving team ¨Los Tigres Dorados".. One of the most important projects implemented by Dr. Matos at the FAD was the organization of the first international skydiving military training in San Isidro in 1992, to also celebrate the FAD anniversary. Thanks to the successful outcome, this initiative remains the most important skydiving programme of the Dominican Air Force history.

Dr. Matos introduced the first military ¨Tandem jumps¨ in the country, making himself the first jump for training purposes as Tandem Master in San Isidro. Many Dominican military skydivers have received instructions from Dr. Matos. He is recipient of several high recognitions from the Dominican Air Force since 1992 for his outstanding contributions to the institution. Some recognitions were handled to Eugenio in the presence of presidents of the Dominican Republic. He received personal distinctions by President Balaguer, Hipolito Mejia and Leonel Fernandez.

On the other hand, members of the FAD enjoyed Public-private-partnership implemented

by Dr. Matos in Santo Domingo. Between 1994 and 2009, Eugenio was President of Parachutist School of Canada, the first modern civilian skydiving school in the Dominican Republic, from where he hired FAD pilots, riggers and other staff. This step brought prosperity to dozens of military families in San Isidro. Alongside Dr. Matos¨ efforts and dedication to the Dominican Air Force, he succeeded in sending from Canada important donations on skydiving military equipment to San Isidro Air Force Base as well as medical supplies to FAD Military Hospital Ramón Lara.

Conversely, Eugenio was an active part of enhancing the image of the Dominican Civil Aviation Bureau of Santo Domingo. In late 90s, Dr. Matos initiated talks in Montreal to establish the first Permanent Representation of Dominican Republic at ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), Thanks to his visit to Dr. Assad Kotaite, Secretary-General and Council President of the ICAO, the initiative yield to the nomination of several Dominican officials from IDAC (now Instituto Dominicano Aviación Civil) as alternate representative to ICAO during Leonel Fernandez´s first presidential term. In 2006 President Fernandez appointed the first Dominican Permanent Ambassador to ICAO based in Montreal, opening later on the first Dominican diplomatic representation to ICAO. From 1995, Eugenio Matos contributed with the legislation and new regulations for ultra light aviation and civilian skydiving of the Dominican Republic.

MAIN INNOVATIONS IN DOMINICAN MILITARY SKYDIVING TRAINING BROUGHT BY DR. EUGENIO MATOS FROM NORTH AMERICA CAN BE SUMMARIZED AS FOLLOWING: 

Train the very first freefall Dominican female military officer in San Isidro.

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Enhance in quality and quantity Dominican Air Force anniversary ceremonies, thanks to international skydivers invited by Dr. Matos.

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New airplane and helicopter pilot training for skydiving purposes

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First Dominican Air Force staff training with NATO in Petawawa Canada´s Air Force, July 1992.

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New theory printing materials.

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Video and simulation equipment imported from Canada.

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One-Day first-jump training strategy, using the first ground-to-air integrated communication system.

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New parachute packing technique.

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Promoting the first Automatic Opening Devises on parachuting equipment.

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Novel Free-fall simulation, training and practice based on Canadian techniques.

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New records on freefall formations in San Isidro.

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Photo-video ground-air and air-to-air for fast academic improvement.

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Invite professional foreign military and civilian instructors as volunteer training personnel.

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Demo jumps exercises and innovations all over the island based on USA techniques.

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Swift on modern security issues adapted brought from North America.

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Donations of new skydiving equipment from Canada and USA.

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Training the first skydivers ever from the Dominican Army and Dominican Police.

Dr. Matos´ contribution to the FAD has always been on volunteer basis due to his diplomatic status. Important foreign magazines have already highlighted Eugenio´s multidimensional assets, including the renowned Canadian diplomatic newspaper Embassy https://goo.gl/photos/qWVBZJcDXa7tDBAK8