9/4/2012 - Four Afghan Air Force flight students from class 91-02 and their U.S. instructors prepare to fly the MD-530F during undergraduate helicopter training Aug.29, 2012, Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. This is the four students’ second flight; they are expected to graduate from their course early Jan. 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

9/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force student pilot Lt. Asifi and Mr. Winson Graham, senior pilot instructor, prepare to fly by doing pre-flight checks Aug. 29, 2012 at Shindand AB, Afghanistan. Lt. Asifi is one of four Afghan Air Force student pilots part of the MD-530F basic flight training program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

9/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force Lt. Asifi and Mr. Winson Graham, senior pilot instructor, put their gear on prior to getting into the MD-530F Aug 29, 2012 at Shindand AB, Afghanistan. Lt. Asifi is a student pilot in the MD-530F basic flight training program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

9/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force Lt. Asifi smiles as he prepares to get inside the MD-530F. Lt Asifi and three other student pilots are part of the MD-530F basic flight training program at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. The class of 91-02 is programmed to graduate in early Jan. 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

9/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force students take to the skies Aug. 29, 2012 at Shindand AB, Afghanistan. The students are part of class 91-02, the second AAF class to begin undergraduate helicopter training at Shindand AB, Afghanistan. All four students and instructors had successful training flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)