A new Afghan air force C-27A Spartan transport aircraft arrives at the AAF base at Kabul International Airport Kabul, Afghanistan July 14, 2011. The aircraft will be used to conduct humanitarian and civilian assistance during crisis situations, support combat operations as well as provide immediate response to emergency presidential taskings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amber Williams) New AAF C-27 arrives by Capt. Jamie Humphries 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs 7/18/2011 - KABUL, Afghanistan -- Airmen of the Afghan air force welcomed the addition of the 11th newly-refurbished C-27A Spartan transport aircraft to the AAF fleet July 14, at Kabul International Airport. The arrival of the aircraft will allow more enhanced mission effectiveness for the AAF as they continue to grow in size and capability authorities said. The aircraft will be used to conduct humanitarian and civilian assistance during crisis situations, support combat operations as well as provide immediate response to emerging presidential taskings. The C-27A is a rugged, twin-engine turboprop aircraft with short take-off and landing capability. The Spartan is well suited for Afghanistan's mountainous terrain and limited road network. These obstacles make air power critical to the mobility of the Afghan National Security Forces. A C-27 can carry up to 20,000 pounds of cargo and fuel and operate on unimproved airfields as short as 3,000 feet, which allows access to airstrips unreachable by most fixed-wing aircraft. "Tail number 4046 came at just the right time as we have now finally recovered from our adviser pilot manning deficit," said Lt. Col. Steve Sims, of the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron. "We are nearly doubling our total daily missions and the additional aircraft will go a long way to ensuring success of the Brig. Gen. Allvin's goal of maximizing flying hours and showcasing the C-27s capabilities for Afghanistan." The addition of the new C-27A will allow advisers from the 538th fixed wing squadron to continue their training mission of increasing AAF pilot skills while also participating in real-world operational missions supporting soldiers on the ground. "The aircraft had already proven itself training adviser pilots," said Capt. Sam Sterlin, 538th pilot. "Our functional check flight, just several days prior to departure, confirmed that it performed well. We credit our smooth trip home to solid maintenance." The C-27A is an adverse-weather, day and night transport, Global Positioning System-equipped aircraft and can carry 44 personnel, 32 paratroopers or 36 litter patients. A C-27 crew has two pilots and one loadmaster. The AAF is expecting more C-27s to be delivered in 2011 and the Kandahar Wing has already begun its C-27 program. Seen as a key contributor to the future of the AAF, the C-27 has phased out the Antonov-32 transport aircraft as the centerpiece of Afghanistan's cargo/transport mission. The Antonov-26 transport aircraft was discontinued from service in the AAF earlier in the year.