Operation Enduring Freedom

Camp Stone, Afghanistan – Lt. Col. Thomas N. Tran with the NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan (left) and Lt. Col. Jonathan W. Vernau, in charge of Regional Support Team – West, and Lt. Col. Chris Shields of the United States Army talk about land agreements between local population and the Ministry of Defense. They are working out the land ownership details, so when U.S. forces leave, the land will belong to the Ministry of Defense. So there will be no disagreements in the future over who owns the land. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared E. Walker/ RELEASED).

Operation Enduring Freedom

Afghan Air Force continues to grow and expand

Published Oct. 8, 2010
By MC3 Jared Walker
438th AEW PA

SHINDAND, Afghanistan -- With the Afghan Air Force gaining more independence from the Afghan Army, the need for them to have their own bases is becoming more and more apparent. The AAF in their growth will need infrastructure to house them, facilities to work in, and airfields to execute their flight operations.

This is where Lt. Col. Thomas N. Tran of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, steps in. Tran, working with Lt. Col. Tay Johannes, 438th AEW Engineer and the 438 AEW J-staff is building the initial and future capability for the Afghan Air Base, Air Detachments and Air Units.

"At some bases, Airmen are living outside with no potable or running water. They have no dining facilities and live in less than desirable living conditions. The Afghan Air Force need office and living space, a flight line for their helicopters and fixed wing aircraft operations, ramps and hangars for their aircraft to park and perform maintenance," said Tran. "Without the infrastructure, the Afghan Air Force cannot increase its capability or capacity".

To help the AAF grow, Tran also has to make sure the Ministry of Defense own the land that the Afghan Air Force units are built upon. Before the land transfers to the MOD, Tran first has to work with local real-estate offices.

"Part of this process is figuring out who own the land and to work with the land office to transfer it to the Ministry of Defense. If there is not clear ownership by MOD, the infrastructure and facilities for the AAF may go to another ministry when U.S. forces leave", said Tran.

Part of this process is developing a plan to build the infrastructure for the short, medium and long term plan. Tran is working with the 438 AEW J-7, Engineer, and J-4, Logistics, to ensure the proper equipment and supplies are in place for the Afghan Air Force to execute their mission.

"During the next four months to six months, this is going to be an ongoing process. We will work to get the land use agreements for the planned Afghan air bases, air detachments and air units." said Tran.

Recently, Tran visited Her'at to speak with U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan W. Vernau, the Deputy Commander for Regional Support Team - West. That visit dealt with the future living quarters and work spaces for the Shindand Air Force airmen.

"Shindand Air Base is the future training base for the Afghanistan Air Force. This will be the future fixed wing and rotary wing pilot training. Delay in building this base will delay the production of qualified crew members that the AAF need", said Tran.

Tran and many others like him are helping to ensure that the AAF has a bright future ahead of them. The impact of his work will be felt more in the years to come when the Afghan Air Force has the ability to stand up on their own and do what they are trained to do... serve and protect the people of Afghanistan.