Ten pilots from the Afghan Air Force, under the Ministry of Defense, have graduated from the ministry’s Air University.
According to Air University officials, the new graduates have completed their practical training on C-208 aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters.
Naqibullah Muqim, chief of staff of the general command of the Air Force, during the graduation ceremony encouraged the pilots to further strengthen their professional skills.
He stated: “The profession of piloting is a complex and sophisticated field that requires intelligence. Learning and studying in this profession never ends, and you must always continue your education in this area.”
Meanwhile, Makhdoom Abu Bakr Ghaffari, chief of staff of the Air University, announced the reconstruction of educational sections at the university during the ceremony.
He said: “Today we are witnessing the graduation ceremony of ten pilots from the first round of practical flight training with C-208 aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters under the Air Defense and Air Force Command.”
Aziz Rahman Mansoor, Deputy Minister for Religious Sites and Mysticism at the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, emphasized the importance of strengthening the country’s defense and air forces, and called for the protection of the current system.
The newly graduated pilots also expressed their readiness to defend Afghanistan’s airspace.
Aziz Rahman Mansoor said: “Just as Jihad was once obligatory, now defending this system — achieved through sacrifice — is also an obligation. We must build a capable defense force.”
Idris Wahidi, a newly graduated pilot, said: “We are committed to serving our country with honesty and sincerity through our profession.”
According to the Ministry of Defense, this is the third graduating batch from the Air University that has completed practical training for Mi-17 helicopters and C-208 aircraft.