Flip the switch: Afghan air force maintainer trains U.S. advisors

Published Feb. 4, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- As the eyes and ears for pilots taxing to and from a parking area, aircraft marshallers have a very important and often overlooked job. Last week, air advisors from the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, became the students during an Afghan air force aircraft marshalling course.

Normally taught by U.S. advisors to their replacements and Afghan maintenance personnel, this marked the first time AAF maintainers have taught a class to U.S. or coalition members.

"The goal of this course was to qualify the newly arrived U.S. airfield management team on a task required for their job," said Senior Master Sgt. Brian Kruzelnick, 802nd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron superintendent. "We asked the AAF maintenance group leadership if they would allow their trained maintainers to teach the class and they agreed, so this was the first time we have been on the receiving end."

The AAF instructor for the course, Sgt. Mohammad Dawood, through use of a translator, explained the importance of aircraft safety zones, positioning and also demonstrated basic hand signals used in marshalling to three U.S. advisors.

Airfield marshallers ensure the aircraft is clear from any obstruction through the use of hand signals, direct the pilot's actions in maneuvering the aircraft until they are either parked on the spot or cleared to the taxiway said airfield management members.

"It truly was a great experience to be trained by the AAF and Sgt. Dawood was very thorough," said Master Sgt. Taiya Carter, an airfield manager with the 838th AEAG deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, OK. "The training received was extremely beneficial for us as airfield managers here since this is not a core duty for the airfield management community."

With Shindand airfield having a large number of transient aircraft transitioning through the base, students now feel more comfortable and capable of managing this task commented Carter.

"I felt proud to help the U.S. advisors after all the help they have given us," said Dawood.

Upon completing the course, airfield management course advisors will be able to guide any aircraft landing on Shindand airfield in and out of the aircraft parking locations.

"This course is another step in solidifying a strong relationship and trust between the U.S. Air Force and the AAF. It allows the AAF to demonstrate their proficiency and build confidence in their abilities, while meeting a training need of the U.S. It shows the strides they have made towards developing a professional military," said Kruzelnick.