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Afghan Mi-17 Pilot Rocket Training Begins

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rob Leese
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Officer
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan --  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 aircraft commander is certified to shoot without an instructor. The course of instruction includes both ground training - systems, normal and emergency procedures, use of force/rules of engagement/laws of armed conflict, and understanding the weapons hazards/frag patterns and flight training which includes several "live fires".

This course is patterned after the Mi-35 training developed by the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group in Kabul. AAF Major Wodoud is the fourth pilot trained by the 441st AEAS.

This is another step in building the Afghan Air Force's capacity to self-escort themselves during operational missions.