First all-Afghan trained gunner graduates

KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AFGHANISTAN

08.19.2013

Story by Capt. Anastasia Schmidt 

438th Air Expeditionary Wing

KABUL, Afghanistan – The new aerial gunner training program at the Kabul Air Wing graduated its first all-Afghan taught Mi-17 aerial gunner August 19 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Hajat, 377th Rotary Wing Squadron, graduated after more than five months of training in the new program. Without the creation of this new program Hajat would have had to wait until spring of 2014 for a slot to open in the traditional training course.

“I’m very appreciative of the mentors and evaluators,” said Hajat about the newly designed training program. “With the mentor’s help we’ll get all the people through the program faster.”

Hajat is the first aerial gunner in the AAF to be taught by other AAF gunners and evaluators. This accomplishment marks one step closer to Afghans teaching Afghans and creating a sustainable air force and military.

“The gunner instructor saw an opportunity while Hajat was waiting for training to train him here at Kabul faster than he would be trained elsewhere,” said Lt. Col. Brandon Deacon, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander and Mi-17 helicopter adviser. “The Afghan instructor crew chiefs took it upon themselves to begin Hajat’s training and get him fully trained here at Kabul without any adviser input or instruction.”

Hajat’s course included training on employing the M-240 machine gun, flight safety, crew resource management and tactical management. Hajat, who has been in the AAF for four years, said he enjoyed the training despite its difficulty.

“The training was hard but the mentors were encouraging me the entire time and telling me that it would get easier with each completed flight,” he stated. “And now I can fly without any problems. I’m happy and very excited to begin flying missions.”

Hajat may have been the first aerial gunner to be all-Afghan trained but he will not be the last. The AAF is looking at the possibility of making the course a permanent part of aerial gunner training.

• Date Taken: 08.19.2013
• Date Posted: 09.25.2013 02:33
• Story ID: 114210
• Location: KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AF
• Hometown: ALBUQUERQUE, NM, US