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First Afghan aircraft arrive at Shindand; Mark new phase for Afghan Air Force

  • Published
  • By MC2 Vladimir Potapenko
  • 438th AEW PA
SHINDAND, Afghanistan --  Two Mi-17 helicopters--for many air bases around the world this may not mean much, but for Shindand Air Base it is reason to celebrate and cite Nov. 13 as a milestone in the history of the Afghan Air Force.
 
"The Mi-17s parked here today are symbolic for the training center-of-excellence that Shindand will become," said Brig. Gen. David Allvin, Commander of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan. "They are also symbolic of the partnership between NATC-A and the AAF to help build a strong Air Force to help protect and support Afghanistan."

With the helicopters, Shindand has taken a step in becoming a vital piece in the construction of the AAF and its goal of becoming the pilot and aircrew training center for the country. Though with its modest beginnings, the base is set to expand to 40 AAF aircraft and 900 personnel by 2015, making it a training hub for helicopters, light lift as well as close air support aircraft. Training will encompass basic, intermediate and advanced courses that develop the aviation skills of Afghan pilots and aircrew that are necessary for NATO forces to draw-down activity in the country.

"NATO will not be here forever, so everything we build we are building to make sure Afghanistan has the best Air Force possible," said Brig. Gen. Allvin.

With an initial construction cost of 60 million dollars as well as an additional 40 million for a second training runway, this former Soviet-era base is undergoing a major renovation in order to transform it to be the training "crown jewel" of the AAF. In total, a projected 184 million dollars is set to be spent on infrastructure alone through 2015.

Though fiscally supported by NATO, Allvin stresses the importance of Afghan cooperation throughout the process. "Every step of the way it has been a partnership between NATC-A and our Afghan partners, in planning as well as execution," he said.

The two Mi-17s now at Shindand Air Base will initially be used for upgrade training, turning current Afghan pilots into instructors, and co-pilots into aircraft commanders. Officials hope that such training will develop into an independent and indigenous capability, eliminating the necessity for Afghan pilot candidates to leave the country to receive formal instruction. Currently, pilot candidates must attend training in the United States and other countries to earn their wings.

The AAF will be able to sustain itself by training the pilots of tomorrow, said Allvin.

Though much of the focus revolves around its role as a training center, with its close air support and light lift aircraft Shindand will also become an operating base for conducting missions in support of Afghanistan's general military interests.