The Pentagon ending training program for Afghan pilots: nearly half go UA in the US

| May 2, 2019

attack cessna
An Iraqi Air Force AC-208 Cessna Caravan aircrew launches a hellfire missile at a target on the Aziziyah Training Range, south of Baghdad, Nov. 8, 2010. (Photo by: Sgt. Brandon Bolick)

Surprised at this? Yeah, me neither. It’s hard to blame them, too, considering what they’ll have to go back to. Hell, I’d consider doing it myself if in the same situation. Still, a 50% failure rate through attrition is bad enough, but there you just ship ’em home. We have more than enough illegal aliens here without importing more from the Middle East. Here’s the story:

By: Jeff Schogol

The U.S. military may no longer track how much territory the Afghan government controls, but here’s at least one definite metric of success: Afghan AC-208 pilots are no longer trained in the United States because more than 40 percent of the students training to fly the aircraft end up deserting within U.S. borders.

This latest nugget is tucked within the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction’s recent report about the (lack of) progress in Afghanistan.

“Those students that did not go AWOL were pulled back to Afghanistan to complete their training: as a result, only one class graduated from the U.S.-based program,” the report says. “The second and third classes will continue and finish their training in Afghanistan.”

On the other hand, who wants to be an IP for Afghan nuggets, in the ‘Stan? The rest of the article may be viewed here: Task and Purpose

Category: Afghanistan, Air Force, Blue Skies, Terror War

24 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ChipNASA

AH, that’s what that is. OK next time I’ll split it up.
Morning all.

Club Manager, USA ret.

Believe they also had several disappear from C-130 training at Little Rock AFB. Shame, they made a good pool for quick stop staffing.

Roh-Dog

Where does one even start the critique of this sh*tshow? Anyway you cut it, that AAR will be fun (to watch, f*ck being in THAT cone of fire).
I’m glad I picked up a 20 pack of Miller Lites, I may have some left for tomorrow.

MCPO NYC USN Ret.

Same thing happened in 1979.

I was there … the Iranian at GLAKES stayed … few went back.

It happens …

Slow Joe

What the hell is that plane?
Is it a propeller airplane shooting missiles?

Mason

That’s literally what it is.

26Limabeans

The Cessna O1 Bird Dog was armed with a single .45 pistol and did quite well in Laos.

rgr1480

I saw photos my dad took as an observer from the Cessna window: rocket pods mounted on a Bird Dog. He was at An Loc/Hon Quan, 1965.

26Limabeans

“Is it a propeller airplane”

Yes, but as you can see they shut down the engine and feather the prop when firing the missle.

ArmyATC

Yes. It’s a Cessna Caravan. It was made for very small commuter service (10-14 pax), but mostly for cargo. At a max cruise of 186kts (214mph), it won’t be escaping ground fire. Hopefully, it’s nothing more than a training aircraft.

Tallywhagger

The Cessna Caravan is one hell of a fine airplane, very well suited to operations in areas of adversity and opportunity.

Mason

Cheap too. Easy to work on I’d imagine.

Roger in Republic

Cables and pulleys, torque rods and bell cranks. No fly by wire or servo assist. Easy to fly, good payload. Relatively fast and multi mission capable. Good airplane for the job.

Doc Savage

Easy to check the fuel status on as well…

Tallywhagger

Haha!

rgr769

Gee whiz, who could have imagined that people from an 8th century culture and religion have a great deal of difficulty learning to operate our 21st century flying machines. And then we are surprised they don’t want to go back to their war torn third world shitholes, but instead go AWOL in the greatest country on the planet.

26Limabeans

And then years later hijack an airliner….

Burma Bob

DOD has tried several times to shut down SIGARs reporting as it is rather damning about the fraud, waste & abuse of contractors and the DOD people who hire and pay them.

26Limabeans

Had to check my records. Thought it was a Defense Electronics program I may have worked on.

timactual

If the Afghans don’t want to fight for their country, why should we? After 18 years of “training” I don’t understand why the Afghans need more “training”. I don’t mind subsidizing the Afghan fight against the Taliban but I do mind sending US troops over there after 18 years.

US out, now. Subsidize if you want, it will only be a short term payment.

Anonymous

Just like ‘Nam: “It is their war, and you are to help them, not to win it for them.” –T.E. Lawrence