Says She Fears For Her Life If She Returns Home

The woman who became the first female qualified to fly military airplanes in Afghanistan has requested asylum in the United States.

Niloofar Rahmani earned her wings three years ago at the age of 22, and became a symbol of what women could accomplish in the post-Taliban era, according to a report appearing the Wall Street Journal.

But now, at 25, she has applied for asylum in the U.S., saying her life would be in danger if she returned to Afghanistan.

Rahmani came to the U.S. in the summer of 2015 to train with the USAF in C-130 transport aircraft. The training ended just before Christmas, and she was scheduled to return to Afghanistan on Christmas Eve.

She said her dream was to fly for her country, but she is afraid she will be killed if she returns.

Rahmani had been the target of threats both from insurgents and relatives who thought she should not be doing what is considered a man's job in Afghanistan. She had been in hiding before coming to the U.S. for her training.

(Image from file)

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