Operation:
Allies
Welcome
The Afghan American Development Group was borne out of a desire to assist the former personnel from the Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing assimilate into a new life in the United States. Aviation professionals, trained at U.S. taxpayer expense and separated from their loved ones, our loyal allies deserve our gratitude and best efforts. They have lost their country, home, career, and family. The arrival of personnel from the Afghan Air Force (AAF) and Special Mission Wing (SMW) in the United States during the fall of 2021 – spring of 2022 commenced a series of intense administrative steps for the future Afghan Americans.
Welcome Home
They were granted humanitarian parolee status by the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the provisions of Operation ALLIES WELCOME. Simply put, they were given this status because a return to Afghanistan meant certain torture and execution by the Taliban.
Public Assistance
A myriad of completed federal forms are required for Afghans resettlement in America. Further, support from public assistance (e.g., food stamps, and Medicaid) varied from state-to-state and city-to-city.
Administrative Challenges
The AADG aids in tasks such as executing an apartment lease, turning on utilities, filling out a W-4 for the first job, opening a bank account, entering into a cell phone contract, filing taxes, and understanding public transportation.
Looking
to the Sky
The U.S. commercial aviation industry is currently experiencing a significant shortage of pilots and aircraft maintainers. The Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing aviation professionals are ideally suited to fill these needed positions. Many were trained by the U.S. Air Force on military bases inside the United States alongside their American counterparts. Even before our nonprofit was officially formed, we assisted Afghan pilots with an aviation ground school to help them transition from military to commercial aviation.
Soaring Opportunities
Alaska Air Lines in Seattle pledged support, donating 300 pilot iPads. Sheppard Air Test Prep offered discounted online study programs and FAA testing endorsement letters. Delta Air Lines in Atlanta formed a dedicated team to facilitate hiring Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing personnel.
Back in the Air
Some pilots are now flying for the FedEx feeder system, a Midwest cargo carrier, an aerial firefighting company, and one serves as a Flight Training Procedures Instructor with Delta Air Lines. While these are significant victories, funding is crucial for training hundreds more pilots and ensuring they pass check rides.
Back to Work
Also, funding is needed for hundreds of aircraft maintainers who need to enroll in courses of study to pursue their FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certification.
Female Afghan Pilots
Of special note are a dozen female Afghan Air Force pilots in the United States who were the first female pilots for the Republic of Afghanistan. In this country, women are no longer permitted to work, attend school, or go out alone in public without full body covering and male escort. These female pilots graduated from the Afghan Air Force Academy and, in some cases, were the only females in their class. They flew missions against the Taliban and served their country and ours in the war on terror.
These women have settled all over the U.S. and have taken many jobs their male AAF counterparts have taken. Some have even taken on advocacy roles for the Afghan diaspora. All of them have also expressed a desire to return to flying. There is absolutely a place for them in aviation.
Reunited with Loved Ones
Family reunification remains an open wound for these men and women. Ninety-three percent have been separated from their loved ones since August 2021. Their families are hunted and persecuted by the Taliban, a consequence of their loyal service to the United States and their heroic efforts to prevent aircraft from falling into Taliban hands.
These families live without heat during the winters, lack medical care, food, and clean water, and must move frequently to avoid capture. Their children cannot attend school. The most significant impact we can have on the lives of our loyal allies is to reunite them with loved ones. All of AADG’s goals exist to support this ultimate mission – family reunification.
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Afghan Air Force Personnel in the US0
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Ground Support & Maintenance CrewTestimonials
Your support means the world
Our success depends on the generosity of individuals like you. Whether you choose to donate your time or contribute financially, you are an essential part of our mission to give our allies a safe landing.
