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]

FMI: www.af.mil