First class of instructors graduates from C-27 Engine and Body class from PeH

Published March 3, 2011
By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Jared E. Walker
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Thirteen members of the Afghan Air Force graduated from the Aerial Technical Instructor course and the C-27 Engine and Body course from Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the Afghan Air Force's "Big Air School," on the Afghan Air Force base in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 3.

Lt. Col. Ryan Nichols, 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander, spoke to both graduating classes. He spoke first to the C-27 course students.

"This is an important day for you because you are now done with your job training and can now go out into the Afghan Air Force and do your mission. You are now qualified to go out into operational units and start the mission," said Colonel Nichols. "This class is very important for the C-27s so I know your squadron is awaiting your arrival and will be ready to put you to work immediately."

Colonel Nichols spoke next to the graduating PeH aerial technical instructors and stressed their importance.

"You are the first group of instructors to finish the immersion training at PeH but there will be a little bit more training in the basic instructor course so you can learn some more skills. Remember your development and growth as instructors is very important to the growth of the AAF," he said. "Take this seriously because in three months or so you will be teaching the pipeline students. The quality of C-27 maintenance will be directly related to the quality of your teaching. Best of luck and I look forward to seeing you around the campus in the upcoming months."

Lt. Col. Sheenwarai Matiuallah, the Chief of Staff at PeH, told both classes that he was very proud and honored to take part in the graduation but he stressed the importance of the improvement of ideas.

"My advice for you is whatever you have learned in the class, improve and coordinate it with the instructors so they can make it better," said Colonel Matiuallah.

Temor Shah Rigiwal, Aerial Technical Group PeH Program Manager and Liaison officer followed Colonel's Nichols speech on the importance of the instructors.

"You don't earn the title of instructor by learning words and a few parts of an aircraft. You become an instructor with hard work and professionalism. The two most important things that an instructor needs to learn are the language and computer skills because you need those skills to teach to your students," said Mr. Rigiwal.

All three speakers agreed that these new instructors were only seeing the beginning of their journey; however, Mr. Rigiwal summed it up the best.

"The life of hundreds of passengers in aircraft relates to the professionalism of the mechanics and maintenance people. The only people that we can trust to make sure that these aircraft fly are professional workers. I can say that each aircraft that came to Afghanistan are worth millions of dollars; that's why you need to realize and understand the value of your work. The new generation of AAF is waiting for you," he said.