The Air Force has open positions for as many as 34 officers to join the Afghanistan Pakistan Hands program. The program, established in 2009 and modeled after a World War II-era program, seeks to "exert strategic influence ensuring progress towards achieving U.S. government objectives in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region," according to an Air Force press release.

"Air Force leadership stresses that properly organized, trained and equipped airmen are the lifeblood of security cooperation," said Jeff Gatcomb, the AFPAK Hands program manager. "U.S. airmen with language, cultural awareness, and regional and political-military skills are the face of the U.S. Air Force to international partners." 

Personnel assigned to AFPAK Hands rotate in and out of theater at the strategic level for approximately four years. Officers selected to the program may be able to attend the National Defense University or the National Intelligence University in Washington, D.C. They will earn joint credit under the experience-based Joint Duty Assignment program after their first deployment and learn language skills that are eligible for language proficiency pay. 

About Mackenzie Wolf

Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.

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