Open Skies: My Life as Afghanistan's First Female Pilot

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As a young Afghan woman who dreamed of becoming an air force pilot, Niloofar Rahmani confronted far more than technical challenges; she faced the opprobrium of an entire society.Pamela Constable, author ofPlaying with Fireand former Kabul and Islamabad bureau chief for theWashington Post

The true story ofNiloofarRahmaniand her determination to become Afghanistans first female air force pilotas seen onAnderson CooperandABC News

In 2010, for the first time since the Soviets, Afghanistan allowed women to join the armed forces, andRahmani entered Afghanistans military academy.

Rahmani had to break through social barriers to demonstrate confidence, leadership, and decisivenessessential qualities for apilot.She performed the first solo flight of her classahead of all her male classmatesand in 2013 became Afghanistans first female fixed-wing air force pilot.

The US State Department honoredRahmani with the International Women of Courage Award andbroughther to the United States to meet Michelle Obama and fly with the US Navys Blue Angels.But when she returned to Kabul, the danger to her and her family had increased significantly.

Rahmani and her family are portraitsofthe resiliency of refugees and the accomplishments they can reach when affordedwith opportunities

Reviews

"As a young Afghan woman who dreamed of becoming an air force pilot, Niloofar Rahmani confronted far more than technical challenges; she faced the opprobrium of an entire society." -- Pamela Constable, author of Playing with Fire and former Kabul and Islamabad bureau chief for the Washington Post
"Niloofar Rahmani's story would be remarkable anywhere. But set as it is in Afghanistan, it soars beyond. Not only was her epic struggle to prove her worth as a fighter pilot compounded by intense threats from the Taliban, but she found little support from the men who should have been her brothers in arms. Her story of perseverance and triumph will be an inspiration not only for women but for anyone striving to achieve a difficult goal in the face of opposition." Jim DeFelice, coauthor of American Sniper , Code Name: Johnny Walker , and Every Man a Hero

Author Bio

Niloofar Rahmani became the first female fixed-wing pilot for the Afghan Air Force in 2012. She speaks three languages and has been interviewed for the Wall Street Journal, the Independent, and PBS as well as by Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper. In 2015 the US State Department presented Rahmani with the International Women of Courage Award. She lives in the southeastern United States. Adam Sikes is a decorated US Marine veteran and freelance writer.