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Understanding environmental context and how to affect organizational culture is critical to effective security forces assistance (SFA), especially when working with host nation air forces. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have highlighted the need for a robust SFA effort. A critical and integral component is building an effective air force capable of meeting the immediate needs of the counterinsurgency effort and long term security interests of the country. In Iraq, then Brig Gen Robert Allardice, serving as the Coalition Air Force Transition Team Commander, proposed and implemented a counterintuitive approach to rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force which was to 'get them in the air' first, as a priority ahead of building capability and capacity. Understanding unique air force capabilities, the environmental context of a counterinsurgency, and the cultural components of air force organizations shows this counterintuitive approach is an effective methodology both in the near term and long term.