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AAF Thunder Lab honors one of its own

  • Published
  • By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Vladimir Potapenko
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanstan --  Members of the Thunder Lab, an English immersion program based at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul, awarded one of its students with the inaugural "Warrior of the Month" award during a ceremony held Feb. 3.

AAF Lt. Hashmatullah received the award for his exemplary leadership and the fine example he sets for fellow "eagles" training in the program, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Howard, the officer-in-charge of the Thunder Lab.

Colonel Howard, originally from Alexandria, Va., marked one instance during the past month that really singled out Lieutenant Hashmatullah as the "Warrior of the Month."

"He was going to be late to morning formation due to some trouble at home, so he called ahead saying that he had a plan on how to get back without missing the entire day," said Colonel Howard.

It is this possession of accountability and professionalism, something that the Thunder Lab stresses, that Colonel Howard believes makes Lieutenant Hashmatullah worthy of the honor.

"I am very happy to be recognized," said Lieutenant Hashmatullah. "I have been trying very hard and it feels good to see that paying off."

The "Warrior of the Month" program is a reconfiguring of a previous initiative, "Warrior of the Week." Due to the size of the student body at the Thunder Lab decreasing as a result of successful completion of the course and advancement to follow-on training, Army Private First Classes Robert Harris, of Los Angeles, and Sylvester White, of Shaw Mississippi, both flight advisors attached to the Thunder Lab, came up with the idea to have a monthly award.

From there, the two set about in helping Colonel Howard and other Thunder Lab personnel decide on the first recipient of the prize, with Lieutenant Hashmatullah as the ultimate choice.

Colonel Howard hopes that by rewarding individual Afghan Airmen with the award, there will be even greater motivation for the type of results that the Thunder Lab expects.

"Overall, our lieutenants have all put in great effort and we just wanted to put a little incentive for what they are doing," said Colonel Howard.