U.S. Troops Help Build Afghan Air Corps

WASHINGTON --- A team of 170 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have been tasked with recruiting, training and equipping the Afghan National Army Air Corps.>> Our goal is to develop this Air Corps to be fully independent and fully operational, capable to meet (the) security requirements of Afghanistan, Air Force Maj. Gen. Jay H. Lindell told bloggers during a teleconference yesterday from Afghanistan. Lindell is commander of Combined Air Transition Force, Combined Security Transition Command.>> The air transition force is is developing mobility missions including presidential airlift, medical evacuation, casualty evacuation, and a general battlefield and logistical support capability, Lindell said.>> The force is insisting on qualified recruits to populate the Air Corps, and only the top 20 percent that come through the Kabul Military Training Center are selected, he said.>> New recruits tapped to be airmen or technicians must be literate, with at least an eighth grade education, he said.>> While most of the Afghan airmen lack additional formal education, they are motivated and eager to learn, Lindell said. Their motivation and their willingness and desire to learn, and desire to be part of this National Army Air Corps, makes up for maybe their lack of education, he said.>> Even among those selected for the overall Air Corps, pilot selection requires another layer of filtering. Out of the 105 pilot candidates, Lindell said only the 48 most qualified will attend training in the United States next year.>> All have university degrees, and all are recommended by commanders, and all have passed an initial medical screening exam, he said.