Afghan's air force hopes to regain its wings.

Summary: Colonel Abdulghias, an Afghan pilot with a tough, weathered face, still remembers the name of a Russian airman who taught him how to fly 25 years ago.

"I was young and I wanted to be a pilot.

Colonel Abdulghias, an Afghan pilot with a tough, weathered face, still remembers the name of a Russian airman who taught him how to fly 25 years ago.

"I was young and I wanted to be a pilot. I met a Russian pilot near Herat. His name was Kachalov," he said, rubbing his forehead as he tried to recollect his memories.

"I said: 'Hey, I want to be a helicopter pilot. Teach me!' He laughed at me and agreed." Now 47, Abdulghias is doing a job his …