News>New Afghan female air force lieutenants arrive at the Thunder Lab
Photos
Five newly commissioned female Afghan lieutenants arrive Oct. 12, 2010, at the Thunder Lab in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth Burke)
Five newly commissioned female Afghan lieutenants arrive Oct. 12, 2010, at the Thunder Lab in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth Burke)
Five newly commissioned female Afghan lieutenants arrive Oct. 12, 2010, at the Thunder Lab in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth Burke)
by Capt. Rob Leese
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
10/13/2010 - KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Five newly commissioned Afghan female air force lieutenants reported to the Thunder Lab here Oct. 12 for training.
The Thunder Lab is an English language immersion program run by NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan officials to prepare future Afghan air force pilots while they await pilot training. The program includes a total immersion program in English, along with aviation and professional skill training.
"I am excited to be here ... it is my big wish, my big dream to join the air force," said 2nd Lt. Mary. "First, I want to be a good pilot, (and) after that, an engineer."
While at the Thunder Lab, female and male lieutenants compete on equal terms and train shoulder to shoulder with their advisors, while living in segregated living quarters.
"They were all extremely professional, motivated, and their English is fantastic," said Lt. Col. John Howard, the lead Thunder Lab advisor. "My sense is that these women will serve as an inspiration for other potential female officers, as well as keep the male lieutenants at the top of their game."
A typical day for the Thunder Lab students begins at 5:15 a.m. with physical fitness. After breakfast, students receive three hours of English or air force training. After lunch, they attend aviation English instruction, followed by military and professional training with an American mentor for two hours. Prayer time and dinner are followed by simulator and study time and an evening movie.
Before being assigned to the Afghan air force, the lieutenants graduated from a 20-week officer candidate school. During that time, they learned basic military skills, including leadership qualities, and trained to become Afghan National Security Force officers, instructed by U.S. and Afghan officers and NCOs.
Comments
10/14/2010 12:13:48 PM ET You go girl. I am a male served in the Air Force in Vietnam and I think this is a giant step for their society because obviously a female tempers a society.
