Page 93 - Royal Jordanian Air Force Book

PROFILES AND REFLECTIONS

RETIRED BRIGADIER
ISSA SULEIMAN QANDAH

DEVOTION AND HONESTY IS
WHAT MAKE PEOPLE GREAT

Evolving from a village boy who used to walk 14 CAPTAIN SEIF
km a day from his home in Shatana near Irbid to AL-KHAZAALEH
Husn in the 1940s to a main figure in the RJAF,
retired Brigadier General Issa Suleiman Qandah KING HUSSEIN AIR BASE
tells a story of perseverance, dedication and
loyalty: values at the core of RJAF mission. FOLLOWING A ROLE MODEL

In 1949 he worked as a communication specialist at
the Royal Hashemite Court during the reign of His
Majesty the late King Abdullah I before joining the
Cadets College, where he graduated as an officer. A
visit to Jerusalem Airport triggered in him love for
aviation.

Upon his request, he was transferred to the Arab On duty observing PC-21 training aircraft taking
Legion Air Force, the predecessor of the RJAF, off and landing, from a ground station on the
which sent him to train as a fighter pilot in the UK. edge of the runway at King Hussein Air Base,
which houses RJAF's flight school, Captain Pilot
After 210 flying hours, a health condition led him Seif Al-Khazaaleh, 31, recalls when he first
to shift to transport planes, becoming the pilot of wanted to fly a military plane.
His Majesty the late King Hussein.
His family is native to Mafraq and seeing military
He was the commander of King Hussein Air Base aircraft up in the air fascinated him, but his real
when it was transformed into the first local pilot inspiration came from his maternal uncle, an
training facility and he remained commander RJAF pilot then.
there until he retired in 1981. But his life of giving
did not stop, as he was appointed general director "I knew I wanted to become a pilot when I saw
of the Royal Jordanian Air Academy and remained him in his uniform. I used to rain him with
there for 11 years. questions and he was patient, and encouraging,"
the officer said.
At the age of 85, his advice to pilots is to take care
of their profession and their fitness. and to all, "The dream has become true. I have seen a lot
to remain dedicated, devoted and honest: "That's and travelled a lot, including eight times to the
what makes great people", he says. US. The experience has been enriching and I am
still learning and enjoying it".

92 ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE