10/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force Lt. Nilofor Rhamani completes her first solo flight in a Cesna-182 Sept. 30, 2012 at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. She is the first Afghan female pilot to conduct all of her pilot training in Afghanistan. She accomplished two touch-and-go landings and one full stop landing to complete this course requirement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

10/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force Lt. Nilofor Rhamani lands safely after completing her first solo flight in a Cesna-182 Sept. 30, 2012 at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. Rhamani is the first female pilot to conduct all of her pilot training in Afghanistan. She is one of five AAF students in Class 91-03 to successfully accomplish 15 contact sorties and a check ride prior to their solo flights this week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

10/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force Lt. Nilofor Rhamani exits a Cesna-182 after successfully completing her first solo flight Sept.30, 2012 at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. Rhamani is the first female Afghan pilot to conduct all of her pilot training in Afghanistan.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

10/4/2012 - Afghan Air Force Lt. Nilofor Rhamani adjusts flowers after completing her first solo flight in a Cesna-182 Sept. 30, 2012 at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. To congratulate Rhamani on her flight, Afghan AF members placed several lei’s around her neck and gave her flowers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

10/4/2012 - After completing her first solo flight in a Cesna-182, Afghan Air Force Lt. Nilofor Rhamani walks down the flight line of Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, Sept. 30, 2012. Rhamani is the first Afghan female pilot to conduct all of her pilot training in Afghanistan.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)

10/4/2012 - Sept. 30, 2012 at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. Rhamani is part of the second class of fixed-wing undergraduate pilot training students to attend formal training at Shindand Air Base under NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)