Fuel Farooq's Flight Dream Comeback

Not the way an aviator's dream is supposed to end...so let's not let it!

Do you remember when you dreamt about becoming an aviator? When you would do anything to have the opportunity to fly? When you worked as hard as you could, dedicated yourself to study and working whatever job you could to be close to the flight line? When you found someone who believed in you and your dream and then they helped make it come true? I do.

Now, imagine that your dream finally came true, you joined the Air Force, got commissioned, attended flight school, completed your primary mission aircraft training, showed up at your first flying duty station with your hair on fire, began your squadron mission qualification training…and then one day, before you even get your squadron coin, with no notice you have to leave everything behind; your dream, your family, your career, your country, your life.

This is precisely what happened to my friend Farooq Safi as Kabul fell to the Taliban in Aug 2021. Please find more of the story at this link (pg. 5): New England Aviation Academy Article

Farooq now lives in Maine and I first met him last summer. I was immediately impressed by his positive attitude. He was dedicated to working with U.S. forces to promote democratic principles and then he lost everything. He’s been through things that not many of us can imagine, yet he remains poised, professional, motivated, and dedicated to doing whatever he can to get back on a path toward his dream of flying.

So, we need your help. Thanks to the generosity of a local Maine flight doc, the amazing team at New England Aviation Academy in Brunswick, Maine, and an Afghan grant through Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc., Farooq’s medical, ground school, study materials, simulator sessions, and first flight are paid for. We believe in him.

We’re looking for folks to join Team Farooq…please help us help him get back in the air. All contributors will receive updates on Farooq’s journey. Thank you for your consideration.

My name is Jen Fullmer, Colonel, USAF Retired. I served in the United States Air Force for 24 years and flew B-1 Bombers, including 90 missions over Afghanistan and Iraq. I have close friends and colleagues who served in the Afghan Air Force and I would have loved to have had Farooq on my team.