An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Air Interdiction Unit Gets a Boost

  • Published
  • By U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class David Quillen
  • NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Story by The Afghan Ministry of Interior's Air Interdiction Unit held a transition ceremony at the Afghan National Army Air Corps base in Kabul, Afghanistan in support of the unit's notable accomplishments over the past 12 months. A few of the more distinguished accomplishments included the approval and implementation of the "1389" tashkiel which will allow for significant growth of the AIU, the recent issue and use of new equipment, vehicles, and uniforms to AIU personnel from the government of the United Kingdom's, and the transition of UK owned Mi-17 airframes to the Afghans to aid in the continued development of the AIU.

"With our work with the forces from the United Kingdom we have learned a great deal. The training we have received has given us the opportunity to develop many skills we otherwise would not have had. This gives us [the AIU] the ability to provide new and stronger support to the police and the Ministry" said Capt. Abdul Hamad Sahak, a pilot for the AIU.

As the Afghan MOI's only aviation unit, the AIU has undergone considerable change over the past 12 months and is making significant steps forward in terms of both structure and operational capability. Co-located at Kabul International Airport with the Afghan Air Corps, the AIU is a US Army mentored Counter Narcotics (CN) aviation unit which provides support to a variety of ground units with its fleet of 16 Mi-17 helicopters. In a similar fashion to the Air Corps who regularly support the Afghan National Army, the AIU's "afghan only" Mi-17 crews are now regularly conducting training and operational missions in support of the MOI, Afghan National Police (ANP) and other counter narcotics forces around Afghanistan.

The recent successful integration of 36 aircrew service members from the United Kingdom's "Project CURIUM" Mi-17 flight training program has greatly assisted in accelerating the growth of the AIU. As part of the United Kingdom's Counter Narcotics strategy for Afghanistan, Project CURIUM produced both Pilots and Flight Engineers, the last group of whom joined the unit in March 2010.

"I have been working with the AIU for a few years, since 2006. Some of the work is dangerous but it is important work and it brings great pride to us to do it," said Sahak, "we are helping Afghanistan move forward."

The AIU is now focusing on increased support to the Afghan National Security Forces through both an increase in the amount of Mi-17 support hours available and also the creation of new detachments around the country over the coming months. This will further extend the support the ANSF can provide as well as contribute to the stabilization of the Afghan Government.