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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/0 ... ZP20151104
The lone Afghan flight engineer trained to operate C-130 transport planes regularly works 14 hour days when fighting flares, ferrying reinforcements and ammunition to troops battling an intensifying Taliban insurgency.
When he is able to return to his house in Kabul, he says his family can see the strain of fatigue on his face.
"Whenever I get home, I just want to eat my dinner and go to sleep," said the engineer, who has not been named for security reasons. "Eat, pray, sleep, that's it. Because tomorrow is my next mission."
There has been just one Afghan engineer qualified to control the C-130 Hercules aircraft's systems for nearly two years, reflecting Afghanistan's struggle to develop an air force capable of meeting the demands of the escalating war.
As battles raged in the north, the engineer flew 13 missions in a single week.
He said his Afghan colleagues helped ensure he did not get too tired, and coalition aircrew also keep tabs on how often he flies and step in to relieve him during busy periods.