Afghanistan’s Air Force Revival: Commitment to Security, Sacrifice, and Peace

Statement at the Afghan Air Force Demonstration

Keypoints: 

• Revival of the Afghan Air Force – Rebuilding and strengthening air capabilities.
• Pilots’ Courage and Sacrifice – Praising bravery during the difficult security year of 1394.
• Honoring Fallen Heroes – Remembering pilots who died in service.
• Support for Security Forces – Government commitment to invest in and support them.
• Training the Next Generation – Educating new pilots, engineers, and personnel.
• Role of Technical Staff – Recognizing engineers and support crews.
• Protection of Sovereignty – Defending territorial integrity and independence.
• International Cooperation – Acknowledging support from international partners.
• Peace with Honor – Seeking dignified peace based on the constitution.
• National Unity – Commitment to security, stability, and a better future.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Honorable Mr. Stanekzai¹, Mr. Atmar², Mr. Olomi³, the Chief of General Staff, the Doctor, Mr. Andarabi, General Khaliq Khan, all esteemed generals of the Afghan Land and Air Forces, General Campbell⁴, all our partners from Resolute Support, brothers and sisters, peace be upon you all, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.

The Year of Survival

The year 1394 (2015-2016) was the year of Afghanistan's survival. When the history of this year is written, the achievements of Afghanistan’s pilots will be inscribed in golden script. What the pilots of Afghanistan accomplished makes me proud every single moment. You never fled from danger for even a single day; you courageously descended into every mountain and every valley. Those aircraft that no one believed would ever move—you made them fly. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

Honoring the Fallen and the Next Generation

In this section, I would like to once again remember the martyrs of the Air Force: Colonel Bakhtullah, Colonel Mohammad Sharif Shafiq, and Major Jannat Khan. Their memory will always be with us and remain alive. The commitment of the Afghan government and all members of the security and defense forces is that we shall consider their children as our own; in their honor, we will always perform acts of heroism. They trained our young pilots in the path of love for the country.

Our commitment is mutual, General! Just as you generals—General Nawab and General Dawran—have pledged, the government’s promise to you is that we stand with you, we invest in you, and we take pride in you.

Acknowledgments of Leadership and Partners

At this time, I also find it necessary to extend a special thanks to Mr. Stanekzai. Under very difficult conditions, he accepted a heavy responsibility and carried it out with great integrity, patriotism, and bravery. May your home be prosperous! Your name will be golden in history. Similarly, I thank Mr. Atmar, Mr. Olomi, the Chief of General Staff, and all the generals for bringing about coordination. Mr. Stanekzai, every governor tells me that whether it is midnight, or day, or pitch black, you answer the first call. So, thank you!

In the same vein, I wish to express gratitude to a dear friend of Afghanistan, a brave and courageous American soldier and my personal friend, Mr. Campbell, and also to all his colleagues:

“Thank you! You have been a friend in need and a friend indeed! And it has been an honor and a pleasure to work with you. A very big thank you to all of you. The General is blessed to have an excellent team, and we are delighted and pleased. Thank you, families and nation, for working with us.”

 

The Revival of the Air Force

Today is the day of the revival of the Afghan Air Force. You remember that at one time, we possessed a very great air force. Discord, short-sightedness, and lack of commitment turned a great air power into dust. But because of our brave pilots and committed officers, today we are witnessing the rebirth of Afghanistan’s power. From the security transition until my presidency, I heard one thing from all of you: "Air force! Air force! Air force!"

Today, the first installment of your air force is being delivered to you, and other installments are ahead of us. You, the generation that defended this land, are now taking on the role of mentors, and a nationwide investment is being made in the education and training of another generation.

Appreciation for Engineers and NCOs

Thank you for providing the report and sharing it with the nation, showing how many youth, engineers, and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are being trained today. In this section, I want to express special gratitude to the NCOs and engineers of the Air Force. Without our engineers, not a single flight can take place, and without our brave NCOs, nothing can be accomplished. You are the bridge and the link of communication. We are investing in everyone, we are proud of everyone, and we are ready to honor everyone at every turn.

Sovereignty and the Price of Peace

Our message to the people is clear: the security and defense forces of Afghanistan truly safeguard the territorial integrity, independence, honor, and dignity of this land. I thank the members of the National Assembly, Mr. Kazemi, and other brothers who have always strengthened our security and defense forces. On behalf of the people, convey the message that today one of the major dreams of the Afghan people has been realized. Our Air and Defense forces, night and day, God willing, will be capable of flying to every point of Afghanistan and supporting our ground forces everywhere.

War is not our desire. People often think our generals are thirsty for blood, but our generals love peace more than anyone because they understand the price of peace. The price of peace is the blood of the soldier, the blood of the NCO, the blood of the officer, and the blood of the general. Why do we pay this price? Because we believe in this land. No one can impose anything on an Afghan by force, but we accept everything through consensus.

Therefore, the message of peace is a clear message—but an honorable peace, a peace based on the Constitution and the protection of the rights of the Afghan people! We win this peace both on the battlefield and in the political arena. I want to assure all citizens, especially our security and defense forces, that the sacrifices you made on the battlefield will never be lost in the field of politics.

Conclusion and India’s Contribution

We are committed to embracing all the people of Afghanistan. A democratic government embraces all its people. Those who do not accept the wide embrace of the nation marginalize themselves.

Again, I want to thank everyone. I specifically congratulate General Dawran and General Wahab that today a request we repeated for at least five years has been fulfilled. My promise to you is that I will follow up on every request based on Afghanistan’s interests.

Again, I thank our friends, General Campbell, and simultaneously the government of India for the helicopters, which today fly in this clean sky, creating an atmosphere of confidence for everyone. We are purposeful, we are committed, and we have unity. God willing, the problems will be resolved, and the basic desire of our citizens—which is security, stability, and a good life—will be realized.

Long live Afghanistan! Glory to the Afghan Air Forces and the Security and Defense Forces of Afghanistan! May Afghanistan remain eternal!

Key Figures Mentioned

• 1. Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai: Acting Minister of Defense.

• 2. Mohammad Hanif Atmar: National Security Advisor.

• 3. Nuralhaq Olomi: Minister of Interior.

• 4. General John Campbell: Commander of NATO and US Forces in Afghanistan.