Two female military pilots from Albania and Kosovo unite the U.S and Albania in "Defender 2021"

Published: Tuesday, 25 May 2021 15:01

Valdete Mehanja and Armela Murati are the two female pilots who seem to have given real meaning to the purpose of the most important U.S-led exercise taking place in Europe, "Defender 2021", the interoperability between NATO allies. Second Lieutenant Valdete Mehanja was born in Kosovo, but for many years she has been an aircraft pilot with the 1-131 Aviation Regiment, Alabama National Guard. She came to Albania as part of the American troops that are participating in the "Defender 21" exercise. At Farkë Airfield, she met the only girl in the Military Helicopter Pilot Training Course, Second Lieutenant Armela Muratin. Armela has joined the Albanian Armed Forces a year ago and says that she chose this course by chance, after being appointed to the Air Force.
The two girls didn’t only share professional secrets, but also the desire to be equal among men in this profession.
Second Lieutenant Mehanja says that it was a surprise for her to come to Albania as an American soldier, as she had never been here before. When asked why she chose to join the US Army, she has a strong reason: "I joined the U.S Army, because the U.S Army, especially America, has helped the Albanian people a lot, Kosovo in particular. And I feel like we owe them." Second Lieutenant Mehanja says she used to be a civilian pilot.
While Second Lieutenant Armela Murati, while listening to the advice given by the from the American college in her native language, Albanian, says that considering that Army is mostly dominated by men, the support and encouragement that was given to her has been massive. "I had never thought of becoming a pilot. I just wanted to serve my country, but it was my destiny to join the Air Force and now I am a trainee. The pressure is quite great, but I have clear goals and I want to complete what I started.", - says Second Lieutenant Murati.

This ambition of the young Albann girl is encouraged by Second Lieutenant Valdete Mehanja, who has spent 11 years getting here. "Do not give up, because is worth it!", - says the Albanian who represents the USA in "Defender 2021".