Armament experts conduct hands-on training

Published Aug. 16, 2011
By Capt. Jamie Humphries
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- With instruction from deployed Airmen, four Afghan air force airmen recently trained on how to prepare and install Mi-17 weapons pylons and rocket pods at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan.

According to training experts, the instruction was the first armament systems instruction of its kind to be conducted in conjunction with Shindand maintainers.

Working to install and remove armament components, experts from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, explained to the students how to install pylons and rocket pods onto a Mi-17 helicopter. Installing the pylon system allows the pods to shoot 57 mm rockets and holds the external gun systems and fuel tanks.

Installation of these key components helps Mi-17s provide air power from the sky for the Afghan Air Force rotary wing helicopter.

Working with personnel at the unit to recognize potential candidates for the training, armament officials began the training in an effort to augment other organizations within the AAF.

"We identified the key armament personnel in Shindand for this training," said Master Sgt. Ben Fitzgerald from Langley Air Force Base, Va., and assigned to the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron. "Now that the training is complete, they (AAF armament airmen) are on pace to separate this specific skill into a different branch of maintenance which will allow for specialization of this critical skill."

After installing pylons and rocket pods, the airmen sighted the pods to ensure accuracy of the rocket when fired from the weapons system. Following installation, the crews also trained on the LPG-150 system ensuring the helicopter was fitted with a hoist system used for small cargo and medical evacuation.

Training crews also cleaned, inspected and function checked all components with their mentees to ensure all components were operational.

"Adding armament capability enables the Afghans to protect their homeland, provide humanitarian operations and deter potential threats," said Fitzgerald. "These armament tasks will be for all of Afghanistan."