Afghan air force help desk receives upgrade training

  • Published
  • By Capt. Robert Leese
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  The Afghan air force and the NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisers recently started a new computer training course here Jan. 17.

A+ training provides the basic fundamentals on desktop computers and networking. Upon completion of the course, the AAF technicians or individuals will be able to demonstrate knowledge of installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting and repairing desktop system and basic network-management processes.

"This type of training is essential and very important for the students working in the technology field," explained Ahmad Jaweed Muslim, an Afghan A+ instructor. "They deserve it and they can benefit from it, because they can implement each and every point they study in class in their practical life."

Currently, there are 15 AAF technicians in the course: seven from the Kabul Wing's communication squadron help desk and eight from the AAF headquarters/Kabul Air Wing staff.

The course is four months long with students attending classes five days a week, while two days each week are dedicated to practical hands-on sessions. This course is essentially a computer/network "boot camp" for the Afghan air force technicians with pop quizzes and basic tests that students must pass prior to graduation.

"We are confident that this training will provide them with required technical skills to tackle AAF's daily computer and network issues methodically in timely manner," Maj. Sanjoy Malhotra, the lead NATC-A communication adviser explained.

The training course will help support the AAF's future help desk/network management structure. Additionally, this will help communications forces become more effective staff in support AAF missions.

"One thing I like in the student(s) here is that they take interest in their studies, and their high level of intrinsic motivation makes them work hard and get as much knowledge as they can," Ahmad Jaweed Muslim said. "They are trying their level best to use each and every minute of their time to learn something new and do something for their country."

Students are schedule to graduate the course in April. The graduating technicians will stay Kabul and provide fundamental computer training to help Afghans use and maintain their network.