Former Afghan Pilots Grounded and Hunted by Taliban: Desperate Quest for Safety and Flight

Former Afghan pilots, who were extensively trained by the U.S. during the 20-year war against the Taliban, find themselves unable to fly due to the actions of their erstwhile partners. These pilots, who could have served as valuable military and commercial aviators, are now in hiding from Taliban death squads, nearly two years after the extremist group's victory. Many of those who managed to escape Afghanistan are living in impoverished conditions, clinging to diminishing hopes of finding refuge in Western countries, as confirmed by American trainers attempting to assist them in securing safety and employment.

Over $80 billion was spent by the United States on training and equipping Afghanistan's security forces, which included thousands of pilots. The cost to train each pilot ranged from $1 million to $6 million. These pilots operated attack helicopters, fighter jets, and supply planes, providing the Afghan forces with their primary advantage over the Taliban. However, following the withdrawal of maintenance contractors in August 2021, marking the end of the war, the pilots were left without the necessary support. While the Afghan army and police were criticized for their lack of combat readiness and instances of corruption, the air force and special forces earned respect and shouldered the majority of the fighting after the U.S.-led forces withdrew from the front lines in 2014. In July 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden had promised to support the Afghan partners in maintaining their air force, but just five weeks later, the war came to an end.

A small number of former Afghan Air Force pilots have joined the Taliban, flying the neglected Black Hawks that are now falling out of the sky due to lack of maintenance. The majority of pilots, however, have gone into hiding or fled to escape the arbitrary justice of the Taliban, as reports continue to emerge of torture, killings, and brutal acts. Families are also being subjected to retribution. Those who managed to escape to neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan now face the risk of deportation as their visas expire. Some who made it to Britain could face relocation to Rwanda as part of a program to remove migrants and asylum-seekers from the country. These pilots face numerous obstacles in reaching allied nations and are unlikely to be accepted into their militaries due to the lack of a special status comparable to the "special immigrant visas" granted to military interpreters in the United States.

The efforts of individuals like James Papp, a retired U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot who provided training in the United Arab Emirates from 2018 to 2021, are crucial for many Afghan pilots. Papp, through his organization 2430 Group, is currently supporting 34 individuals, including 18 pilots with their families, in Islamabad, Pakistan. Despite their education, skills, and proficiency in English, Papp sees little hope for their onward journey or opportunities for employment.

When the Afghan Republic collapsed in August 2021, around 75 pilots were training in the UAE, and approximately 80 others were in Slovakia. Eventually, all of them resettled in the United States. However, many pilots were left behind, facing immense challenges. Several organizations and individuals who initially claimed they could offer assistance have disappeared, leaving them on their own.

According to U.S. and European defense sources, some pilots have approached the militaries of the United States, Australia, and other NATO member and partner states to explore possibilities of joining their ranks. However, the primary hurdle lies in obtaining citizenship, which is a time-consuming process that can take years. George Lefevbre, a former U.S. Army pilot who trained 200 Afghan Air Force Black Hawk pilots, explains that the pilots' training was specific to Afghanistan's war conditions, particularly combatting insurgents in challenging terrains. Few countries recognize the military training obtained elsewhere, and the United States lacks a program to retrain these pilots for civilian aviation. Lefebvre emphasizes that the pilots are currently scattered and lack any structured program to guide their future paths. Although there are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals like Lefebvre providing assistance, there is no straightforward means of bringing them to the United States unless they have a sponsor. Moreover, they lack the experience and certification required for commercial employment. Even if they were to pursue civilian pilot certification, their long absence from the cockpit would necessitate starting from scratch.

Former Afghan pilots who spoke to Foreign Policy expressed their concerns about safety if their identities were revealed, as they are well-acquainted with the Taliban's terror tactics. The Taliban began targeting pilots long before their victory to eliminate the significant threat posed to their ground forces. The absence of air support, including crucial operations such as close air support, casualty evacuation, resupply, and redeployments, would have likely led to the Afghan forces being overwhelmed by the Taliban much earlier.

These former pilots shared accounts of their fear as the Taliban embarked on a widespread hunt for former military personnel, conducting door-to-door searches across cities, towns, and villages throughout Afghanistan. One pilot, who flew Black Hawks, narrated how he and his wife constantly moved and hid in basements for months before finally reaching Pakistan. Currently residing in Islamabad with expired visas and support from Papp, the former pilot fears arrest and deportation by Pakistani authorities, who frequently detain Afghan nationals without valid papers and return them to Afghanistan. The constant fear of Taliban retaliation and the isolation resulting from extended periods of hiding have taken a severe toll on their mental well-being. One pilot described how the stress has caused complications in his pregnant wife's pregnancy, further exacerbating their predicament. Despite their extensive training and combat experience, these pilots find themselves stranded in Pakistan, a country plagued by political and economic instability. They struggle to afford basic necessities, including housing and healthcare. As time passes, the fear of being unable to pay bribes to avoid imprisonment becomes increasingly imminent.

Many pilots continue to hope for the resumption of their flying careers one day. However, given the current circumstances, their primary goal is to secure evacuation from Pakistan. They view the destination as less important, as their priority is to escape the dangers they face in their current situation.