1st US Female instructor trains Iraqi pilots.

A statement by the US army cited "A U.S. Air Force officer here is serving as the Iraqi Air Force's first female Mi-17 instructor pilot, a job she describes as one of a kind." <p>"My primary duty as an air advisor is to train, advise and assist their pilots by expanding their knowledge base," said Capt. Kacey Grannis, 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

The statement added "Grannis, who has more than 50 hours in the Mi-17, trains Iraqi pilots who have many more hours in the aircraft than she has."

"I get a lot of attention because I'm a female, but it's very respectful attention," she said.

Grannis pointed out "A lot of times, these guys kind of treat me like their little sister which is a great honor to me because I know in Iraqi culture, family is very important. I'm honored that these guys consider me a sister. But, I tell them 'outside the aircraft, I'm a woman, inside the aircraft, I'm a pilot. And because I'm your instructor pilot, you're going to do what I tell you to do."

"I'm very fortunate to have been able to come here and meet all these great people. I'm honored to work with the officers, Grannis noted.

The Iraqi Air Force Capt. Abdul Jabbar stated that "She's a very good instructor and she has good experience for training and teaching. She always gives good advice and she never gives up."

All rights are reserved for National Iraqi News Agency / NINA 2008

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company