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Kandahar Air Wing celebrates first birthday

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melissa B. White
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  American Airmen and coalition forces joined the Afghan Air Force in celebrating the first anniversary of the activation of the Kandahar Air Wing Oct. 5 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

The wing has five permanently assigned Mi-17 helicopters, supports transient fixed-wing aircraft, and plans to receive four C-27 aircraft within the next year, with an additional two the following year to bring their final total to six. There are currently about 330 Afghan Airmen in the KAW, with hopes to expand to a total of 1,200 in the next year.

In the past year, members of the wing conducted 142 flying missions, transported 7,193 passengers, moved 98,600 kilograms of cargo, and flew more than 824 total hours. Members of the air wing were also lauded by leadership for rescuing 83 Afghans in a flood relief mission earlier this year.

"Our strong pilots, NCOs and Soldiers have performed their duties perfectly," said Maj. Gen. Abdul Raziq Sherzai, the KAW commander. "Today I am grateful of all my officers, NCOs and Soldiers and wish them a lot more success from Allah on their duties."

The KAW Airmen supported another major event in Afghanistan this year: the country's parliamentary elections, which were held Sept. 18. The Airmen flew 47 hours in direct support of the elections. Security Forces also accomplished flyaway security training, which was executed during the country's elections.

"Last month, over four million ballots were cast in the Afghan Parliament Elections. You supported that effort," said Col. Bernard Mater, 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group commander, as he addressed the wing which his group is assigned to mentor. "Those ballots are still being counted. You may have voted in that election ... but whether you did or not, every day you wear your uniform, you are voting for Afghanistan. Each day you come to work, you are voting for the future of your children. Each day you serve, you are voting for freedom. NATO also wears uniforms, NATO also comes to work, and NATO also serves Afghanistan and freedom ... and this makes us brothers and sisters ... this is how we see you."

Throughout the past year, Colonel Mater and Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors from 45 different career fields have worked with the Afghans shonha ba shohna and ooga-pa-ooga - which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Dari and Pashtu, the local languages here. The Americans have mentored the Afghans and taught them skills for their jobs so they can eventually take complete ownership of their wing and support the mission.

"(Americans) have seen and read about your growth - as individual Airmen, as a wing, and as a part of the coalition team - during your first year," said Colonel Mater. "You inspire us. You make us believe that there will be a better Afghanistan. You give us hope ... We celebrate this first birthday with you as family, and we hope for your continued success. It is hope that brings the future all of us want - a better future for your children, a better Afghanistan ... it is hope that brings us and keeps us together."