Mi-17 pilot Col. Mohammad Rahim Azimy became the first Afghan instructor pilot to train an Afghan Air Force student pilot, US Air Force air advisors announced. “We are now starting to rebuild this air force,” said Azimy, who operates from the AAF training center at Shindand Air Base. He said he is grateful to the US and NATO instructors who have helped mentor and train members of his service to achieve this landmark. Afghan autonomy in areas such as helicopter flight training is essential to developing an air arm capable of operating independently after NATO forces leave the country. “As the first training center to provide training for flight engineers, pilots, and crew chiefs, [Shindand] is a very important place,” Azimy underscored. He plans to “fly with more students so they, too, can become experts.” (Shindand report by MCS 3rd Class Jared Walker)
The lack of training ranges and airspace in Japan are making it difficult for U.S. aircrews to maintain readiness during the pandemic, the head of U.S. forces in Japan said. U.S. and Japanese aircraft and personnel need to leave the country for high-end training, often traveling to major exercise such…