Milestone for AAF means better trained helo pilots

The Afghan Air Force saw a new milestone recently with the opening of the pilot training program here. The first Afghan pilots began their eight-week instruction course early in January with an aggressive four-day academic schedule before beginning flight instruction on the Mi-17 Hip H. "We are

Sexual assault still serious concern on deployments

It happens in the shadows, at night, during the day, alone or not, and it still happens when people are deployed.So far from the comforts of home, Airmen are much closer to the well-known enemies of today's fight, but a common enemy that exists anywhere in the world still lingers. Sexual assaults

NATO-led base vital to mission in Afghanistan

Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, the largest NATO base in the world, is strategically located in the heart of Taliban country.The airfield, which is NATO-run with a U.S. Air Force general officer sitting at the top of the chain of command, supports military units from 20 nations, including the 451st

Afghan Air Force hosts Musa Qal'ah Youth Shura

The 215th Corps Marine mentors and local Afghan National Police at the Musa Qal'ah District Center hosted the first annual Youth Shura and Open House on Dec. 20. The ANP, Afghan National Army and the Afghan Air Force's Kandahar Air Wing provided static displays for the 40 youth participants. It was

Kandahar Air Wing conducts first All-Afghan cargo sling mission

The first All-Afghan cargo sling load mission was conducted on Dec. 21 to deliver winter supplies from Eagle landing zone in Qalat to the Afghan National Army's 205th Corp's remote outpost near Mizan in the Zabul province. While this first flight took just 30 minutes, it required a high degree of

Afghan Mi-17 Pilot Rocket Training Begins

On Jan 13, Kandahar Air Wing began rocket training for the first Afghan Mi-17 aircraft commander, Major Abdul Wadoud. The day started with extensive ground training and finished with Major Wodoud successfully firing sixteen 57mm S-5 rockets into a target. The program has roughly six events before an

Afghan Air Force "Big Air School" graduates four courses

Members of the Afghan Air Force graduated from four different courses at the Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the Afghan Air Force's "Big Air School," in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Jan. 13. The classes that held graduations were a Mi-17 engine and body course, a noncommissioned officer orientation course, a

The 438th Air Expeditionary Wing focuses on wingman

The 438th Air Expeditionary Wing held a "Wingman Day" meant to encourage resilience--the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands--among NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan troops working on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul, Afghanistan Jan.

Vice president visits Al Faw Palace

Vice president thanks Airmen and servicemembers in Iraq

A crowd of more than 200 military members, many of them Airmen, and civilians deployed in support of Operation New Dawn, listened to Vice President Joe Biden during his brief stop at Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory, Iraq."It makes me feel like we have the support of the people back home," said Staff