Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Hasina Omari, Afghanistan’s first female fighter pilot, is resettling in Owensboro, Kentucky with her family. At 33, she has navigated familial disapproval and Taliban threats while amassing nearly 370 flight hours.

Omari's aspiration to become a jet pilot was initially supported by her family and friends during childhood but faced resistance as she grew older. "I tried to convince my family for seven years... They weren’t convinced, especially my mom and my big brother," Omari told The Western Kentucky Catholic. Her twin brother supported her, and her older sister attempted to help her get admitted to a pilot school in India, though it proved too costly.

Eventually, Omari received conditional support from her father. She began working with the Afghan air force and studied fixed-wing aircraft in the Czech Republic with financial aid from the United States. After completing 15 months of training, she returned to Afghanistan as one of two women in the program. She later applied for fighter aircraft training which required nine more months of study.

Despite achieving professional milestones, Omari also engaged in women's equality and education initiatives and worked as an interpreter raising awareness about drug abuse. Upon marriage, both families pressured her to quit her job but she continued with support from her husband.

The situation worsened when they began receiving threats from the Taliban demanding that both quit their jobs or face death. After ignoring initial threats, a letter threatening their lives led them to seek evacuation assistance. Following the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Omari was seven months pregnant when they made an emergency landing in Tajikistan along with other U.S.-supported Afghan pilots.

In Tajikistan, they faced harsh conditions; their devices were confiscated and communication with families was restricted. "It was a really bad journey... It was really tough," said Omari who secretly communicated with an American flight instructor about their condition.

Eventually evacuated by the U.S Embassy under pretense about pregnancy status constraints for travel permissions, Omari gave birth nine days after reaching the United Arab Emirates (UAE). After seven months in UAE followed by temporary stays in Virginia and Indiana respectively; they moved permanently to Kentucky in November 2022 through asylum applications facilitated by Catholic Charities of Diocese Owensboro & International Center of Owensboro.

Now settled into life at Owensboro along-with two children; reflecting on future aviation opportunities remains secondary priority till obtaining green card formalities complete – expressing gratitude towards community & slower pace living environment where multiple Afghan families reside too - “There are more Afghan families here... talking with each other,” shared Omari emphasizing on interconnectedness within community members inclusive American friends alike.

Omari underscores admiration towards all women irrespective diverse roles undertaken whether contributing significantly society-wide or home front duties: “all women are great women.”

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