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New Afghan facilities key for Kandahar Air Wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Daryl Knee
  • 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  The Afghan Air Force's Kandahar Air Wing invited coalition forces, tribal elders and school children here Jan. 1 to the open house for their newly-constructed facilities and aircraft inventory.

With assistance from the international community, the $60 million facility-improvement project now showcases the strengths and benefits of Afghan-led air power.

"On behalf of the Kandahar Air Wing, I thank and appreciate NATO for their support of the Afghan National Security Forces," said AAF Maj. Gen. Abdul Raziq Sherzai, KAW commander.

The Kandahar Air Wing is one of three air wings in Afghanistan: one is at Kabul in the north, and the other is in Shindand in the west. The new KAW facilities - which include large dormitories, a gym, and maintenance hangars - act as an incentive for Afghan citizens to join the nation's military.

Haji Nasrollah, a tribal elder from the Kandahar province, spoke to the amassed crowd of more than 1,000 about the relationship among the civilians, ANSF, NATO and International Security Assistance Force.

He said most Kandahar civilians feel the use of military equipment has drawbacks, such as damage to roadways. However, as a tribal leader, he knows his people realize the importance of security and stability the AAF provides.

"Because most of the insurgents are making propaganda, we have to show the Kandahar community we are all together," General Sherzai said about inviting the tribal elders and school children. "The students are the future of Afghanistan; they are the ones who will inevitably set up and govern this nation."

As the opening ceremony inside the hangar continued, hundreds of Afghan children fidgeted with barely-contained excitement. One child stood for the entire event to glimpse the aircraft inventory lined across the flightline outside.

"As I look out into the audience, I see children," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey B. Kendall, Kandahar Airfield commander. "I see the hope for a great future in Afghanistan. On our New Year's Day, [coalition forces] are looking forward to the future, and I know [Afghans] are, too."

Significant events happened here on the first day of the year, said Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing commander. The opening of the new AAF facilities allows for Afghan servicemembers to continue their mission and ensures their part in the security of southern Afghanistan.

The most noteworthy matter, he continued, was the presence of hundreds of school children.

"For the children to see what the Kandahar Air Wing is all about," Johnson said, "and what their partnership with NATO can do - that in itself will probably have the biggest effect in the long run."

The Kandahar Air Wing activated on Oct. 5, 2009, and has since worked as part of the coalition effort to bring safety, security and stability to southern Afghanistan.