Category Archives: Fighter Pilot

Female Afghan Student Pilots Begin US Training

The Associated Press notes the beginning of training for four Afghan women who will ultimately be pilots in the Afghan Air Force.  They are undergoing language training this year and will begin their pilot training next year.

The ladies brought attention to the fact Afghanistan isn’t like it used to be:

For women in Afghanistan, said Afghan Air Force 2nd Lt. Masooma Hussaini, it’s not like “it was in Taliban times.” Her sisters are in school, women work in offices and, by next year, Hussaini and three other young women could be among their country’s first females piloting military helicopters.

The article notes some men in Afghanistan may not be ready for the change.  As the US begins its withdrawal, it will be interesting to see what becomes of the fledgling Afghan Air Force.

Join the Air Force. See the Business End of a Toilet.

Not every Air Force (or military) job is glamorous.  For example, some military members are deployed to combat areas for one purpose:  To escort the third country nationals who drive the sewage truck that empties the latrines, otherwise known as the “sewage” sucker, though most people use another “s” word.

Along those lines, the Air Force Times notes the story of Senior Airman Michael Waite.  His job?  Aircraft lavatory service.

The job works like this: Waite drives up to an aircraft with his lavatory service truck, better known on base as the SWAT (S—, Water and Trash) truck. A hose is hooked up to a valve on the craft and the human waste Read more

US Marine Pilots-to-be Lead in Afghanistan

Due to training timelines, it is not uncommon for new officers to wait up to a year or more for their pilot training course to begin.  Sometimes these officers are given other opportunities like the chance to obtain a Masters Degree or attend another professional course.  In other instances, they are held in an “awaiting pilot training” status, filling a sometimes menial position in another unit.

Thirteen new Marines took another path:

Instead, 13 active-duty lieutenants commissioned with aviation contracts are on the ground in Afghanistan, Read more

1 … 54 55 56 57 58 … 104