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Afghan Air Force "Big Air School" graduates four courses

  • Published
  • By Mass Communications Specialist Jared E. Walker
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Members of the Afghan Air Force graduated from four different courses at the Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the Afghan Air Force's "Big Air School," in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Jan. 13.

The classes that held graduations were a Mi-17 engine and body course, a noncommissioned officer orientation course, a literacy course, a security course and a team leadership course. In total, 30 AAF members graduated and will return to their jobs with more knowledge to help the AAF.

Col. Mohammed Marif, Commander of PeH, a guest speaker at the graduation, emphasized the importance of job integrity to the graduates.

"I have talked many times here about the value of the classes and the value of the future goals and jobs. If you execute your job with good intentions and integrity you will enjoy your job," said Col. Mohammed Marif. "The lessons that you have learned in your classes apply these to your jobs, be professional and learn as much as you can."

Another guest speaker was Kazma Sarwi, an Afghan Instructor at PeH. Sarwi thanked the graduates for completing the courses and wished them the best of luck to in their military careers. His main point to the graduates was the need to continue to learn.

"Our elders say the more you learn the better you can see. They also say that drops of training can become a sea of training if you continue training. Continue to better yourselves and again congratulations," said Sarwi.

Lt. Col. Ryan B. Nicholas, 738 Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan also spoke to the graduates. Nichols spoke about the importance of each of the classes.

"This literacy course helps with the education perspective. Just as important is the NCO course and professionalism will be important as they enter the Air Force. The Mi-17 engine and body course emphasizes the technical training and technical expertise the AAF is building while the orientation course graduates are just entering into their training and the AAF. Together all four classes continue to strengthen the AAF," said Nichols.