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AAF senior enlisted leadership take care of junior Airmen

  • Published
  • By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Jared E. Walker
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan --  One-hundred and fifty junior-ranking members of the Afghan Air Force from the ranks of E-1 to E-5, were presented gifts consisting of school supplies and clothing, by their senior non-commissioned officers at the Afghan Air Force base in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 19.

The event that took place closely resembled a U.S. Air Force program called the "Airmen's Attic", where junior enlisted Airmen and their families can benefit from donated goods.

The idea for this event came from the Afghan Air Force Command Sergeant Major Eid Mohammad and was facilitated by Chief Grindstaff, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, Doug Falkner a contractor with Military Professional Resources Inc. and Senior Master Sgt. Dan Bouchee the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing first sergeant.

"After they spoke about the idea and decided that they wanted to do this, Chief Grindstaff got a hold of me and told me about it," said Sergeant Bouchee. "After we spoke I leveraged some resources that I have back in the states and we were sent about 3,000 pounds worth of school supplies and other goods." 

Sergeant Bouchee explained why this was a significant event.

"Even though the materials were donated by Americans and their coalition partners, the goal of the event was for the Afghans NCOs to show they can take care of their Airmen and also because it's important for the junior Afghan Airman to see that their efforts to be appreciated; with initiatives like this it shows that their senior non-commissioned officers corps cares about them and wants to take care of them," he said.

Col. Abdul Basir, the AAF religious and cultural affairs officer, explained why taking care of lower ranks was such an easy decision.

"The junior NCOs are the backbone of the AAF. It is important that they are taken care of. By doing this today we are not just helping our Airmen but their families as well," he said.

CSM Eid Mohammad said even though lower enlisted ranks have become more respected in Afghanistan, their pay is not the most ideal and programs like this will happen in the future to help them.

Junior Airmen such as Sgt. Fazel, said he and his fellow Afghans NCOs were grateful that their SNCO leadership took care of them by doing this.

Another AAF junior NCO, Sgt. Mohammad Amir, said because of gifts from the AAF leadership, it helps them as be better workers because they know that their hard work will be rewarded.

"This is a good program and so I know this program will continue. This year, the non-commissioned officers are being appreciated for their hard work and next year the non-commissioned officers will be rewarded as well," said Sergeant Amir.