In 2009, the Afghanistan Ministry of Defence selected its first group of pilot candidates on which to build its future Air Force. These future pilots were sent to the U.S. where they were enrolled in language immersion training, followed by USAF undergraduate pilot training.
Now, Shindand Air Base provides basic facilities for the training of pilots and crews, and construction on the new facilities is ongoing, due to be completed between February and April next year. Shindand Air Base will not only be the center for pilot training, but will eventually serve as the training center for much of the AAF. This will include maintenance, language and professional military education, and training in the myriad support functions and skills necessary for the nearly 1400 Shindand Air Wing Airmen to sustain the base and flight school operations.
Lt. Fazil Amery is one of the newly designated students; he has already received initial pilot training in India, and is eager to begin advanced training.
Cheers!