Afghan military leader visits Randolph

  • Published
  • By Justin Oakes
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  The top air boss for the Afghanistan military visited Randolph Air Force Base July 9 as part of a tour to see how the U.S. Air Force can be an example for his country's efforts in creating a proficient training model and establishing an independent air force.  

Maj. Gen. Mohammad Dawran, the Afghan national army air corps commander, toured the Airman Leadership School and received a briefing on student undergraduate pilot training. 

Several aircraft simulator rides gave the Afghan general a more hands-on demonstration of U.S. Air Force training.

"It is important to see a Western example of how to undergo such a transition," General Dawran said. "It is a priority to see how it can be implemented with the Afghanistan government."

General Dawran said a major issue concerning the Afghanistan national army air corps was the need "to build a base like this, and to find the tools to train."

The U.S. Army Air Corps was the stepping stone for American military aviation. Such is the case with Afghanistan.

The ANAAC is searching for an effective model to help build up their country's military air service. 

At this early stage of Afghanistan's army air corps, there is no similarity with the U. S. Air Force, General Dawran said. The general expressed an interest in all aspects of training, including everything from recruiting to piloting.

Randolph AFB is not the only stop on the Afghan general's tour. Other points of interest will include the NCO Academy at Lackland AFB, aviation maintenance training at Fort Eustis, Va., undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin AFB, and a visit to Andrews AFB, Md., for a presidential airlift briefing. 

The ANAAC is continuing to grow and looking to improve its international relationships.

"I see a good partnership in the future," General Dawran said. "The relationship with the United States is very important because the United States has the ability to help coordinate with the (Afghan) army air corps and assist in its development. I am thankful for the opportunity to visit, and I appreciate all the effort the U.S. government and its people have put forth planning this tour."

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