MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Camp Lejeune Claims
| VA Loans
Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Afghan Translators, Air Force Reservists, Assist Evacuees

Senior Airman Kalimullah Ghorbandi (left) and Airman 1st Class Ahmed Sofizada (right) , both linguists assigned to Task Force Holloman, pose for a picture at Aman Omid Village on Holloman Air Force Base, Oct. 28, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (US Army photo by Pfc. Anthony Sanchez)

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 – A pair of former Afghan translators, who are now Air Force Reserve Airmen, are assisting evacuees from Afghanistan settle into their new lives in the United States.

Senior Airman Kalmullah Ghobandi, who joined the Air Force Reserve in 2016, is assigned to the 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California. Airman 1st Class Ahmed Sofizada, joined in 2018 and is assigned to the 38th Intelligence Squadron, Beale AFB, California.

Both are temporarily assigned to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, to support Operation Allies Welcome – the Department of Homeland Security-led effort to support vulnerable Afghans as they safely resettle in the United States.

These Airmen have unique stories and their background puts them in a unique position to offer advice and encouragement to the thousands of refugees starting their lives anew.

To escape the Taliban, Ghorbandi’s family began the immigration process to the United States in 2000.

“I’m originally from Afghanistan in the Parwan Province,” Ghorbandi said.

“I was 8 years old when I moved to the U.S., and it was about a three to four-year process. We were supposed to come in 2001, but after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, it got pushed back to 2004.”

“When I came to the U.S., I knew very little English – just the basics. I spent about a year and a half in English as a second language class. It took me a good two years to be fully conversational.”

Sofizada’s journey to America began a little differently. In 2001, the Taliban controlled most of Afghanistan, which forced Sofizada and his family to flee their home in Kabul when he was a teenager.

“We heard on the radio that the Taliban were taking Kabul City,” he said.

“We got onto a bus, and it was really overloaded. It was around midnight that we started moving towards the Panjshir Valley. There was a big convoy of people – civilians just getting in their vehicles and trying to run away before the Taliban got to Kabul. I remember looking out the window, and, as far as I could see, there were lights coming in behind us and going towards the northern part of Afghanistan just to run away from the Taliban.”

After arriving in the Panjshir Valley, which fell under the control of the United Islamic National Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan, he had to adjust to life during the reign of the Taliban.

“There were some days where you would go without food, and just try to find something like an apple or a mulberry,” Sofizada said. “The supply routes were blocked off by the Taliban. If you were lucky, you would have bread.”

Sofizada and his family stayed in the Panjshir Valley until the occupation was over. They then returned to their home. Sofizada would later learn English and help U.S. forces in Afghanistan as a translator and linguist.

“Those guys are really brave, and they were willing to sacrifice everything to keep our family safe,” Sofizada said. “That’s what I learned from the Green Berets – to be selfless, always do the right thing and put your life on the line for others.

“It took me a while to earn their trust, because they were in a foreign country. Once I earned it, I felt like I was part of a brotherhood. I never felt they looked down on me, and I was treated like a soldier.”

Sofizada immigrated to San Francisco in June 2009.

“I thought that since the U.S. has given me a new life and I really enjoy living here, it would be a good idea to serve and actually wear the uniform,” he said.

Ghorbandi joined the Air Force Reserve in 2016. Sofizada joined in 2018. Both said the selfless service of the American forces in Afghanistan inspired them to enlist.

The Airmen said they were excited to serve at Holloman AFB and ease the transition of Afghan evacuees into their temporary home on base, dubbed Aman Omid Village.

“I get a lot of gratification from helping out people who I know are in the same situation I was in,” Ghorbandi said. “It’s just been amazing seeing their faces and seeing the kids who are now getting a chance – especially since a lot of these kids are the age I was when I first came here.”

Sofizada had the unique opportunity to welcome his own family to Aman Omid Village. His four brothers, two sisters and parents came through the village.

“I’m really happy that they’re here and safe with me,” he said.

“Talking with the kids has been the best experience for me,” Ghorbandi said. “You see the light and the hope in their eyes, and it makes you think about how much suffering they must have gone through. They will still go through a lot of obstacles in their lives, but as long as they keep that hope, I know they’ll have a chance in this country.”

(Editor’s note: U.S. Army Pfc. Anthony Sanchez contributed to this report)

Comments

Filed Under: Air Force, News

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Northern Strike Continues Support for National Defense

AUGUST 11, 2022 – Northern Strike 22-2, the country’s largest National Guard Bureau-sponsored military exercise, is scheduled to occur across Northern Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC), including Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Aug. 6-20. Approximately 7,400 participants from 19 states and several coalition countries, including Canada, Latvia, and the U.K., will participate in one […]

Army Develops Future Soldier Preparatory Course

JULY 27, 2022 – In response to the most challenging recruiting environment since the start of the all-volunteer force in 1973, the Army is implementing an innovative new program to prepare recruits who are en-route to initial military training to meet or exceed our rigorous standards. The Future Soldier Preparatory Course pilot program, which is […]

Top 5 University Scholarships for Military in the UK

JUNE 20, 2022 – The cost of a college education can be daunting and unaffordable for many university students in the UK. For the students who have set their hearts on joining the military, there are several scholarships available for them.  These scholarships help military students overcome the financial challenges of attending college. A University […]

Federal Hiring Summit for Transitioning Service Members

AUGUST 10, 2022 – Commander Navy Installation Command Headquarters, Fleet and Family Support Center is hosting a federal hiring summit Aug. 15-18. Although the summit is hosted by the Navy, all military personnel and their spouses can attend this virtual event. Those who are preparing for their end of service or actively transitioning out of […]

Military Consumer Month Focuses on Financial Literacy

JULY 29, 2022 – With inflation soaring in the U.S. and elsewhere, many among the military community, including reservists and veterans, are struggling to make financial ends meet and are in need of a good battle plan to beat their budget foes. Anyone in such a predicament would do well to employ the Department of […]

Recent Posts

  • Northern Strike Continues Support for National Defense
  • Marine Aircraft Wing Sharpens Wing-Level Warfighting
  • Osan Activates Fighter Generation Squadrons
  • ‘Communication and Information’ Career Field Changes Name
  • Midshipmen Test the Waters on Summer Cruise
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2022 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.