The first three Afghan airmen to undergo specialized undergraduate pilot training in the United States graduated at Laughlin AFB, Tex. “I’m proud of my country and proud of the United States government, especially the Air Force, for providing this opportunity for our dreams to come true,” said one of the Afghan lieutenants who received his wings on Dec. 18. Selected from among more than 350 candidates, the airmen completed a year’s worth of intensive English language courses at JB San Antonio, Tex., before stepping onto Laughlin’s flight line. Over the last year, each flew roughly 200 hours in the T-6 Texan II, which amounted to more than 140 sorties. “Now I’m going back to Afghanistan with my wings as an official pilot,” summed one of the airmen. Upon returning to Afghanistan, all three pilots will begin advanced training on the C-27A airlifter. (Laughlin report by 2nd Lt. Angela Martin)
Boeing Claims Progress on T-7 and Other Challenged Programs
April 25, 2025
Boeing appears to have become to overcome the problems that led to billions in losses on fixed-price defense contracts in recent years, point the company back toward profitabily, says Boeing president and CEO Kelly Ortberg.