Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — The Kuwait Air Force plans to recruit women personnel,
including pilots.

Military sources said women in other services would be welcome to
assignments in the Air Force, including that of pilot.

“The decision was made to shift attention to Kuwaiti women who have
already proven their competency in the security field,” a source said.

The sources said the Air Force was conducting a study to determine the
feasibility of women recruitment. They said the results of the study as well as recommendations would be relayed to the Cabinet for final approval.

The proposal came in wake of difficulties of the Air Force to recruit
men for a range of positions. The sources said only seven officers applied for pilot courses, regarded as insufficient to maintain operations.

The sources told Kuwait’s Al Rai daily that the Air Force was expected
to train women for non-combat pilot roles. They cited women cadets in
courses to fly helicopters and air transports.

The women could also be asked to occupy positions vacated by Gulf Arab
foreign nationals. The Defense Ministry has decided to dismiss an
undetermined number of non-Kuwaiti officers.

  Kuwaiti Air Force, lacking personnel, non-combat pilot roles, non-Kuwaiti officers dismissed, only seven officers applied for pilot, recruits women