VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - Moody Air Force Base (AFB) welcomed its first aircraft this morning that will be used to train Afghan pilots.
Moody AFB was one of three bases being considered for the A-29 Afghan Light Air Support Training Mission. Moody was chosen because of its airfield availability, airspace, and facilities.
A total of 30 Afghan pilots and 90 Afghan maintainers will be trained at Moody over the next four years.
Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Hogan says the aircraft represents the future of the Afghan Air Force.
"We are very conscious in the fact that they are in the fight for their lives," said Lt. Col. Hogan. "When these students return back to Afghanistan they'll be going right into conflict. So we are very conscious of that and we want to do our very best to have them prepared when they return to their country."
This A-29 is the first of 20 to arrive at Moody AFB.
Pilot training will begin in February.
