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Afghan Air Force Commander tours new Immersion Lab

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rob Leese
  • 438th AEW PAO
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Brig. Gen. Michael Boera, the Commanding General, Combined Air Power Transition Force, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, and Commander, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and Maj. Gen. Mohammed Darwan, Afghan Air Force commander, tour the Afghan Air Force Thunder Lab, an English immersion program designed to improve the English, aviation and professional skills of AAF officers awaiting pilot training on July 8, 2010.

AAF graduates of the National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA) and Officer Candidate School graduates were selected to live in the lab and live shoulder to shoulder with CAPTF advisors. They moved into the lab on May 15, 2010.

Maj. Gen. Darwan explained to the new Lieutenants, "When I was in military school, I wanted to be a good pilot. I encourage you to use this facility and take advantage of this opportunity to better yourself. It is an honor being the first ones to establish this lab. You are the young generation of the future of Afghanistan."

Thunder Lab was designed to nurture and mentor the next generation of Afghan Air Force officers. It is not only to educate and train pilot training bound officers, but officers who will be filling other positions throughout the Afghan Air Force. This allows for officers to start forming networks and relationships within the AAF. They will be able to come together as an Air Force and not just as operators, maintainers, logisticians, intelligence and communications.

Brig. Gen. Boera proudly explained to his Afghan counterpart, "Right here in front of you, you see the next generation of Afghan greatness. These are the new eagles for Afghanistan."

The Thunder Lab continues its role of mentoring the future leaders of the Afghan Air Force.