Biden Turned Back On Our Friends

Afghan Pilot Allies Caught in Bureaucratic Limbo

By Brock Booher

Hammad grew up in war-torn Afghanistan with a dream as vast as the skies: to become a pilot. Through sheer determination and merit, he defied the odds, earning a coveted spot in pilot training at Fort Rucker and achieving his dream of flight. But in 2021, when the U.S. withdrew and the Taliban seized control, his dream – and everything he had built – came crashing down. Today, like dozens of his fellow Afghan military pilots who risked their lives alongside U.S. forces, Hammad’s skills and aspirations are grounded by bureaucratic red tape, even as America faces a critical shortage of pilots.

Hammad (not his real name) is one of approximately fifty former Afghan military pilots who flew combat sorties over Afghanistan, logging over 40,000 combat hours in support of U.S. operations. These highly skilled aviators now navigate a different kind of battle: surviving as rideshare drivers, warehouse workers, and busboys in America, unable to leverage their expertise due to complex bureaucratic barriers.

During the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, these pilots faced a grim choice. Their service alongside American forces made them prime targets for the Taliban, who began harassing, imprisoning, and even killing their family members. Thanks to the efforts of U.S. military personnel and nonprofit organizations, many of these pilots and their families were evacuated to safety. However, while they escaped the immediate danger, they also left behind their homes, loved ones, and the flying careers that defined them.

For these pilots, flying was not just a job—it was their identity and their way of serving both Afghanistan and their American allies. Their credentials are impressive by any standard: extensive combat experience, proficiency in both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, and seamless integration with U.S. forces under extreme conditions. Yet, despite their proven skills, these pilots find themselves stuck in low-paying jobs, unable to return to the profession they love.

The barriers are numerous. Translating Afghan military certifications to meet FAA requirements is a complicated and time-consuming process. Security clearances, despite years of verified service alongside U.S. forces, often face delays or are denied altogether. Many pilots lack passports, which are essential for most aviation jobs. Additionally, the cost of supplemental training and certification in the U.S. is prohibitively high for families still establishing themselves in a new country. As a result, their hard-earned expertise remains untapped, even as the U.S. aviation industry struggles with a pilot shortage projected to exceed 12,000 pilots by 2030.

In October 2021, I joined forces with the Flight Path Vectors Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating aviation opportunities for underserved communities. Together, we worked to secure training and job placements for these pilots. Time and again, however, bureaucratic hurdles dashed promising opportunities. While a handful of pilots have managed to return to the cockpit, the vast majority remain stuck in this state of limbo, their potential sidelined.

The irony of this situation is glaring. These pilots risked their lives to support American objectives in Afghanistan, demonstrated their loyalty under fire, and passed rigorous vetting to be evacuated. Yet now, their invaluable skills are ignored due to bureaucratic inertia. Meanwhile, the aviation industry’s need for experienced pilots has never been greater.

The solution lies in decisive action from the U.S. government. A streamlined process to translate military certifications, coupled with targeted financial assistance for additional training, would enable these pilots to return to the air. Simplifying security clearance procedures and expediting passport applications for these individuals would further remove barriers. Such measures not only fulfill a moral obligation to our allies but also address the critical pilot shortage in both civilian and military sectors.

Hammad’s story is a poignant reminder of what is at stake. He stretches his modest income as a busboy and warehouse worker to support his family in the U.S. and send money to his brother’s orphaned children in Afghanistan. He dreams of flying again, not just to provide for his growing family but to reclaim the identity he worked so hard to build.

As America continues to grapple with its legacy in Afghanistan, how we treat these allies speaks volumes about our national character. These pilots answered the call when we needed them most, flying dangerous missions that saved countless lives. Now it’s time for us to answer their call and clear the runway for them to takeoff once more. The cost of inaction is measured not only in wasted talent but also in the message it sends to future allies: that those who risk everything for America may find themselves abandoned when it no longer serves our national interests.

Brock Booher is an aviation professional with over 35 years of experience, a published author, a small business owner, and a grandfather who believes everyone can pursue their dreams.

*Note: The opinions expressed herein are those of Brock Booher alone and do not represent those of Breaking Battlegrounds’ hosts or staff.