MD530 Instructor Pilot Working With Afghans

09/10/2017
9/11/2017: The Afghan Air Force in Mazar-e-Sharif, Northern Afghanistan, has grown increasingly independent, launching on and completing missions on a daily basis using MD530 Helicopters and A29 Super Tucano jets. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced on September 5 that it has issued a $1.38 billion contract to MD Helicopters…

Afghan C-130 Maintainer Training

06/07/2017
06/07/2017: A group of Afghan C-130H maintainers listen to instructions on proper care for the aircraft on May 16, 2017. Members of the Train, Advise, Assist Command – Air (TAAC-Air) advisor team help to train the Afghan Air Force to be able to maintain their own aircraft. OKAB, AFGHANISTAN 05.16.2017 U.S.…

RAAF Mentoring in Afghanistan

03/08/2017
03/08/2017: Ten Royal Australian Air Force members are embedded at Train, Advise, Assist Command – Air (TAAC-Air) providing mentoring support to their Afghan Air Force counterparts in Kabul, Afghanistan. Around 270 personnel for the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and Defence civilians are deployed on…

A-29 Super Tucanos for the Counter-Insurgency Fight

02/05/2017
02/05/2017: An A-29 Super Tucano arrives on the flightline Sept. 26, 2014, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The A-29 is a multi-role, fixed wing aircraft that will provide the Afghan Air Force air-to-ground capability and aerial reconnaissance capabilities to support its counterinsurgency operations. Afghan pilots and maintainers begin training…

A-29 Super Tucanos Train for Close Air Support Role in Afghanistan

05/06/2016
05/06/2016: The highest priority skillset for the Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano pilots is the effective execution of close air support (CAS). Pilots are trained to employ rockets, precision-guided bombs, general purpose bombs, and strafe. The A-29 can employ a variety of weapons to do this mission: .50 cal…

Re-birth of the Afghan Air Force: Options for the Way Ahead

02/14/2016
02/14/2016:  It is clear that at the critical point in the initial destruction of the Taliban, that the United States could have avoided a full blown engagement in Afghanistan. The problem with occupying a country with such a radically different culture from that of the United States will always be…

A New Addition to the Afghan Airpower Transition (2)

04/15/2015
04/15/2015: Afghan Air Force MD-530F Cayuse Warrior helicopter pilots and their advisors from the Train, Advise, Assist Command Air, prep and practice for the MD-530F Rollout ceremony. The ceremony was conducted the following day at Kabul Afghanistan International Airport, Apr. 08, 2015. Credit: Defense Media Activity - Army:4/8/15 For our report…