Afghan Air Force Lt. Colonel Safia Ferozi served as the first female commander of combined airlift C-130 and C-208 squadrons in Kabul. She flew more than 1,000 hours in multiple missions, working alongside the U.S. military. Safia also completed her higher education in law and political science.

 

When the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan, the lives of female military and police officers were at risk from the Taliban. In August 2021 Safia, nine months pregnant, and her family, were extracted from Afghanistan and relocated to Qatar where Safia gave birth.

 

Thanks to the help of Salem for Refugees and Operation Sacred Promise, Safia now has resettled in Salem with her husband, Javad Najafi, Major in the Afghan Air Force, pilot and trainer of pilots, and her daughters Narges (6) and Helen (8 months).