New Afghan Eagles depart Kabul for pilot training

Published Dec. 12, 2010
By MC3 Jared E. Walker
438th AEW PA

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Ten pilot candidates in the Afghan Air Force flew from the Kabul International Airport to a partner nation in the Middle East to start pilot training on Dec. 11.

"This group of ten pilot candidates, all lieutenants, left for a two year journey for combined English and pilot training. Some will become fixed wing pilots and most will become rotary wing pilots. Their English is good now and it will get a lot better in two years," said Lt. Col. Paul A. LaVigne, Chief of Training for Afghan Pilot candidates and non-candidates, with the NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan/438th Air Expeditionary Wing.

LaVigne said that this contract is in a partner country and the idea behind the contract is to bridge the gap between the training that can be produced in the United States and before the Afghan Air Force can stand up their training in Shindand. LaVigne said that this contract allows the Afghans to produce pilots while AAF and NATC-A members are standing up Shindand, the future AAF training program base.

"I am happy to see these guys go. The good news is that in about two years some of these guys will be back flying helicopters doing the mission of their country, which I think is very important," said LaVigne.

LaVigne said the contract will produce 80 pilots total, 50 helicopter pilots and 30 fixed wing pilots. He said that the Afghan Air Force should be very excited because this is a very good program for AAF members and will create new pilots for the AAF.

The next group of 11 AAF officers leaves Kabul in late December and will be followed by another 15 officers in January 2011.