Aircraft transfer increases combat capabilities of eastern Afghan FOB

Published March 20, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL Afghanistan -- Afghan aviators at Forward Operating Base Fenty prepared for a huge stride forward in operational capability March 18, when three MI-17 helicopters were transferred.

The aircraft arrived from Kabul International Airport, marking a transition from a 'defend the base' to a 'defend the region' mentality for the Afghan base located in Jalalabad, said Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Wollard, the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group Detachment 1 commander.

"We are here to build a professional and operationally capable Afghan air force," said Wollard. "Together with our Afghan counterparts and Coalition partners we are making that happen."

He said the base's location 30 miles from Pakistan has strategic importance.

"Jalalabad is a key location for the defense of eastern Afghanistan," said Wollard. "We will be able to bring the fight more frequently to those who oppose the security of this country."

Up to this point, Fenty has been used as more of a transient and beddown location, said Wollard. Advisers have been diligently training their Afghan counterparts to prepare for this transformation.

Wollard's counterpart Afghan air force Col. Jahangheer Azimi, Jalalabad Detachment commander, could barely contain his pride about his unit's transformation.

"We have the title of air force but with no aircraft that title means nothing," he said. "Today I can't explain the happiness I feel. We are getting equipment to support that title."

Azimi said he looks forward to being able to support the numerous provinces near his base. He said the aircraft will help ensure supplies arrive for troops on time. He said the transfer of aircraft is just the latest of many good experiences he has had with Coalition partners.

"Since I have been commander here, I have gotten a tremendous amount of support from the Coalition forces," he said. "There is a high level of trust between us."

Wollard, a native of Casper, Wyo., said he has been working towards this day since he started his deployment 10 months ago. He said it has been an interesting journey.

"When I first stepped off the plane we had nothing," he said. "In those 10 months we have laid down the footprint of a highly operational unit."

He said it has not been an easy process and has required a lot of patience. The training has paid off and the Afghan aviators are gaining more confidence daily, he said.

"When you are in the moment you don't notice it as much since the progress has been so gradual," he said. "Looking back, it is amazing all of the hard work Airmen have been doing here. Everybody has been working together with one goal in mind to get this detachment ready to receive aircraft."