S³/KBFS Graduates Seventh USAF Pilot for MD-530F Squadron in Afghanistan

MD-530F helicopter used for training USAF students

Temple, Texas – On 12 May 2017, S³/KBFS graduated its seventh USAF MD-530F pilot, who will be assigned to the Afghan Theater of Operations as a Combat Air Advisor to the Afghan Air Force in the MD-530F.  Instructor Pilot Bobby Kramer led the USAF Captain through more than 40 hours of academic training and 18 hours of flight training, culminating with his 2-hour evaluation and subsequent designation as an Air Force Instructor Pilot in the MD-530F. Over the course of the 2-week qualification in Temple, TX, USAF students receive instruction in aircraft systems, emergency procedures, low-level tactics, and remote operations.

USAF MD-530F students come from various USAF weapon systems and bases around the world, and are selected for MD-530F instructor duty at the 438^th Air Expeditionary Squadron in Kabul, Afghanistan, based on their aptitude and previous instructor ability.  The MD-530F has been in service in Afghanistan since 2014, and remains the squadron’s only dedicated, armed rotary-wing platform.