The Afghan National Army Air Corps in February took another important step towards fielding a professional, self-sufficient force when its first class of doctors—six in all—graduated from their nine-month flight surgeon course that was taught by medical advisors of the Combined Air Power Transition Force. Their graduation ceremony took place Feb. 16 in Kabul. These newly winged Afghan flight surgeons give the Afghan military, for the first time, doctors with the knowledge to treat medical issues associated with the rigors of aviation. They now form the nucleus of future ANAAC aerospace medicine cadre. The CAPTF is tasked with helping the fledgling Afghan air arm grow into a capable fighting force. Its flight surgeon training course for the Afghans is modeled on the aerospace medicine primary course that USAF doctors must attend to become flight surgeons. (NTM-A release)
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
