For those of us in South Georgia, there's a strong chance that sometime next year an Afghan pilot trainee could be flying over our heads, The Washington Post reported Thursday, June 26.

Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta has been selected as the most likely option for the new Afghan pilot training location, the Air Force says. Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., are also being considered as potential sites, but Moody is preferred because its facilities are "immediately available for the new occupants to move into" and is the cheapest option for the Air Force, The Washington Post reported.

"The plan to implement this temporary stateside training option will ensure the Afghan Air Force receives the support and training necessary to safely and effectively employ a platform for conducting air interdiction and close air support operations within their country," Air Force officials said.

The A-29 is a small, twin-seat turboprop aircraft that can carry a wide array of surveillance sensors and weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. It is designed to be easy to fly and hold up in high temperatures and rugged terrain. The Air Force bills it is as a "multi-role, fixed wing aircraft" capable of 

SCOTT

"indigenous air interdiction, close air support...and aerial reconnaissance."

Once the host base is formally selected by September, the first Afghan trainees will arrive in February and will have a "limited presence" through 2018.

U.S. Congressman Austin Scott, R-Ga., says the Moody AFB selection is all but a done deal with only an environmental impact study pending.

"Moody Air Force Base has a long standing history of excellence, and I am proud that Moody has been chosen for the A-29 LAS program," said Scott of Tifton.

"Successfully completing this mission will allow our soldiers and airmen to come home from Afghanistan as soon as possible. The Air Force's selection of Moody solidifies its value and contribution to our nation's defense. The applaud the efforts and support that the South Georgia community and the South Georgia Military Affairs Council has given on behalf of Moody Air Force Base for this mission," Scott said.

VIDEO: Area Tobacco Growers Go On Annual Tour -- Georgia Farm Monitor

While Georgia can't compete with other states on the quantity of tobacco grown, It does compete on quality, reports the Georgia Farm Monitor. Area growers take their annual farm tour along with UGA Extension personnel. 

Click the video above for the full report.

VIDEO: 'Home Free' Sings Back Stage at VIP Reception in Tifton

 

It was a homecoming concert for Tifton native Austin Brown of the a cappella group Home Free, which performed two shows last Saturday, June 21, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

The group recently beat all competitors on NBC-TV's singing show, "The Sing-Off." By winning the competition, Home Free was awarded a recording contract, and their first album is in the Top 10 on the Billboard country music album chart.