Tue, Jun 16, 2009
The first Afghan officer to train in the United States in
nearly 50 years earned his pilot wings in a ceremony at Columbus
Air Force Base. Lt. Faiz Mohammed Ramaki was presented his pilot
wings by Col. Roger Watkins, 14th Flying Training Wing commander,
after completing the Aviation Leadership Program.
The Aviation Leadership Program is a scholarship for flying
training that includes English language training, 25 hours of
flight screening in a civil aircraft, such as a Cessna 172 Skyhawk,
335 academic and ground training hours and approximately 167 flight
hours and simulator sorties. The flying portion of the program
usually takes 9 to 10 months to complete.
"The ALP program was challenging and difficult," remarked a
proud Lieutenant Ramaki. "Succeeding in the ALP is an
accomplishment; but while this is a good day for me, it is a great
day for my country." Lieutenant Ramaki will continue his flying
training in his next aircraft, the C-27A Spartan. The Afghanistan
military should start receiving the first of 20 Italian-built
C-27's late this summer.
When asked what he missed most of his native Afghanistan,
Lieutenant Ramaki glowed at the memories of his family, his
countrymen, culture and language.
"It will be good to return," said Lieutenant Ramaki. One of the
first Afghan pilots to train in the U.S., retired Col. Ghulam
Mustafa Tayer, traveled to the U.S. in 1958.
Sixty-one Afghan pilot candidates will spend up to 30 months in
the U.S.; they'll attend English language training before follow-on
pilot training with the Air Force, Army and Navy. Thirty
experienced Afghan army air corps pilots will spend up to 10 months
in the U.S.; they'll also attend English language training followed
by aircraft instrument flight qualification and return to the Kabul
Air Wing for C-27 qualification training.
"Be proud of your accomplishments at Columbus," said Colonel
Watkins. "You will go back to your country and share what you
learned with other air corps pilots." [ANN Salutes Sonic Johnson,
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs]
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