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Afghan Pilot Candidate Signs New Service Commitment

  • Published
  • By MC1(AW) Elizabeth Burke
  • 438th AEW PAO
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Afghan National Army Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Said Muzafarshah Anwari signed his service commitment on Jun. 20, 2010, to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training in the U.S.
 
"I really feel great because this is a great opportunity for me that I am going to America for pilot training," said Anwari. "I am going to do my best to be a great pilot and to come back to Afghanistan to serve my people and my country and I really want to thank my American mentors for really helping me through this process."

Anwari is the first Afghan pilot candidate to sign a new service commitment in order to go to training. The new service commitment is equal to twice the length of training plus three years, which will begin once Anwari returns from pilot training in 2012. The agreement also requires stages of progress, which if not met, can terminate the training and return the trainee to Afghanistan. The previous service commitment did not include academic standards; however these conditions are necessary to keep the Afghan students focused on keeping their grades up.

He was selected because of his professionalism and English skills. He is a former non-commissioned officer in the Air Corps and a graduate of Officer Candidate School.

"He is a hard charger, he likes to lead and he stood out right away," said mentor Lt. Col Roger Figueroa.

Anwari's father Mullah Said Adilshah Anwari and brother came all the way from Bamiyan Province, a three hour trip to support him as he made this commitment.

"I am very proud," said Said Adilshah Anwari. "I am going to miss him, but God willing he will come back."