Faiz Mohd Ramaki, an Afghan translator who has worked with coalition forces for five years, will be the first cadet from Afghanistan to undergo pilot training in the US under the US Air Force’s Aviation Leadership Program. SSgt. Julie Weckerlein reports that Ramaki expressed surprise at his selection, saying “It’s still like a dream to me; I can not believe it.” However, US officers he has worked with believe the Afghan National Army Air Corps cadet has the motivation and capability to succeed.
The Department of the Air Force is consolidating more than 50 programs supporting its efforts to create a vast battle network into a single $4.5 billion contract vehicle to streamline software and technology integration.
