Afghan Air Corps soldiers practice Presidential escort mission Published May 31, 2010 By Capt. Robert Leese 438th Air Expeditionary Wing KABUL -- An Mi-35 attack helicopter provided escort for two ANAAC Presidential Airlift Squadron Mi-17s May 27, 2010, during a presidential-airlift training mission. Currently, the Presidential Airlift Squadron uses the U.S. Army's Apache gunships assigned to the International Security Assistance Force for escort support. By the end of the summer, the ANAAC will have the Mi-35s as an organic or internal escort support. It will be Afghans supporting Afghans as both the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron and the Presidential Airlift Squadron belong to the Kabul Air Wing. Capt. Sean Masters explained, "This shows the people of Afghanistan that their government is taking the responsibility for Presidential security. The Afghan Air Corps is carrying their president in the Mi-17 and the security is provided by the Mi-35." While this is not the first time that the Mi-35 has flown escort, it is one of the first Presidential escort practices in the last year and shows that the ANAAC is ready and willing to accept greater responsibility. Today, both squadrons are able to practice this mission with all the key players. They are able to practice like they fight and fight like they practice. The ANAAC will be adding a C-27 Presidential fixed wing aircraft in late summer, which will allow President Karzai unrestricted access to the country and the Afghan people.