AAF Thunder Lab honors one of its own

Afghan AF Lt. Hashmatullah, an “eagle” at the Thunder Lab, an English immersion program at the Afghan AF Base in Kabul receives the inaugural “Warrior of the Month” award from U.S. AF Lt. Col. John Howard, the officer-in-charge of the Thunder Lab, during a ceremony, Feb. 3. KABUL, Afghanistan -- "AAF Lt. Hashmatullah received the award for his exemplary leadership, and the fine example he sets for fellow "eagles" training in the program," said AF Lt. Col. John Howard. Col. Howard marked one instance during the past month that really singled out Lt. Hashmatullah as the "Warrior of the Month."

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"He was going to be late to morning formation due to some trouble at home, so he called ahead saying that he had a plan on how to get back without missing the entire day," said Colonel Howard. It's this possession of accountability and professionalism, something that the Thunder Lab stresses, that Col. Howard believes makes Lt. Hashmatullah worthy of the honor. "I'm very happy to be recognized," said Lt. Hashmatullah. "I've been trying very hard, and it feels good to see that paying off." The "Warrior of the Month" program is a reconfiguring of a previous initiative, "Warrior of the Week." Due to the size of the student body at the Thunder Lab decreasing, as a result of successful completion of the course, and advancement to follow-on training, Army Private First Classes Robert Harris and Sylvester White, both flight advisors attached to the Thunder Lab, came up with the idea to have a monthly award.

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