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AAF pilots graduate aviation English course

  • Published
  • By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Vladimir Potapenko
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan --  More than 80 Afghan Air Force pilots graduated from an aviation English course during a ceremony on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul March 14.

The course, split between varying levels of language proficiency ranging from elementary to intermediate, taught aviation-centric English meant to help the airmanship of Afghan pilots.

English is the universal language for aviation, and by upgrading the understanding Afghan pilots have of English, the AAF will be able to improve safety measures and operability with regional and global partners, said Flight Lieutenant Henry Wilkinson, the air attaché for the British Embassy in Kabul.

Lasting more than nine months, the course offered three classes a week for the students, with each class taking place at the Kabul English Language Training center housed on the AAF Base in Kabul.

The course, unlike other English language courses found on base, was sponsored by the British Council, a U.K. based organization specializing in international education and cultural opportunities. The British Council has been working in Afghanistan since 1964.

"NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan goes out looking for help developing the AAF. The British Council is unique because they came to us willing to help," said Col. Kenneth Madura, the commander of the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group which works directly with the graduating pilots. "NATC-A does not have the resources to train all of the people who need to learn English, so this program has been a blessing for the AAF and NATC-A."

Commenting on the British Council's involvement in the broadening of English language skills within the AAF, Paul Smith, the director of the British Council and cultural counselor for the British Embassy, said, "we are interested in developing Afghan leaders for the immediate tomorrow."

Given an opportunity to speak, AAF Capt. Waedallah, a course graduate, expressed his gratitude on behalf of his fellow classmates for the opportunity to learn English and the benefits it enables.

"It is necessary to know enough English to take advantage of the help and efforts provided by the world community," he said.

The English learned by the graduates and the array of possibilities it creates opens the door for a better working relationship between the AAF, Ministry of Defense, and the Afghan people with the international community, agreed Col. Iain Smailes, the British defense attaché, ensuring working relationship geared towards stability in Afghanistan.

Finished with the English course, the pilots return to their units where officials hope their understanding of English fundamentals will help propel the development of the AAF.