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Attack helicopters expand Afghan air corps' capabilities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • U.S. AFCENT News Team
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Flying 90 percent of its own missions, the Afghan National Army Air Corps has spread its wings and has evolved into an indispensable form of military power in counterinsurgency and medical evacuation operations throughout the country.

Along with the recertification of previously trained Afghan pilots, that percentage will continue to grow as the air corps recently added three refurbished MI-35 helicopters to double its fleet size.

"These helicopters are proven in this region," said Army Col. James Brandon, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing deputy commander. "The Russians flew them, the Afghans flew them for a number of years when the Russians occupied Afghanistan, and they are a good helicopter for the region. There are many Afghans who are trained to operate, and, maintain them."

The ANAAC serves as a solid example of the success of coalition efforts to rebuild Afghanistan's air corps and is a symbol of the nation's progress in security and governance. Afghan commanders are able to call on this ready force to cover vast distances and to reach areas isolated by a lack of roads and forbidding terrain.

"We have seen a number of medical evacuation movements and the transportation of troops and supplies to important areas at a moments notice," said the colonel, a recent graduate of the National War College. "A year ago, the Afghan National Army Air Corps was only flying 10 percent of the missions in support of the Afghan National Army and [Intentional Security Assistance Force] was flying 90 percent. A year later, the Afghan National Army Air Corps are flying 90 percent of the missions, and ISAF is flying 10 percent. We are very proud of that statistic. The air corps continues to make progress, and as they continue to get more modernized aircraft, we will see progress continue."

The arrival of the new attack helicopters increases ANAAC's counterinsurgency power by increasing its ability to support the Afghan National Army's ground forces.

This increased capability will allow the helicopter squadron to provide fighter support to more places throughout the country, said Tech. Sgt. Sam McGivern, 438th AEW helicopter maintenance mentor. The aircraft are a key to providing convoy protection and security for cargo assets.

Since helicopters are not affected by improvised explosive devises, they are able to provide the Afghan government with a tremendous capability to overcome the insurgency.

"The long-term goal is to ensure the security of Afghanistan and the Afghan National Army, and the air corps [are] critical to securing that independence by making sure people have the freedom to operate freely within the country. For Afghanistan to prosper just as many other countries have throughout the world [is our goal]," said Colonel Brandon, a native of North Bergen, N.J.

Looking to the future, Sergeant McGivern, deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., believes the ANAAC will expand its capabilities.

These new helicopters will increase the number of flying operations and allow the ANAAC to advance into more combat training, said Sergeant McGivern a native of Carolton, Ohio. "Hopefully, before too long, they will be ready to start doing some night flights and more advanced missions."