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  • TAAC-Air reduces mid-air risks

    Many Afghan helicopter pilots have years of flying experience, so when 19 hazardous traffic reports were reported in January and February at Jalalabad, Train, Assist, Advise Command – Air advisors were not only surprised but concerned, and knew the issue had to be addressed immediately.“[The situation] presented a major collision hazard to the US
  • Airmen from the Afghan Air Force go through the hands-portion of training during a web conferencing class. Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air advisor are teaching the class so they have a farther advising reach. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. J. LaVoie/Released)

    TAAC-Air trains web conferencing

    The Train, Advise, and Assist Command-Air mission is to develop a professional, capable, and sustainable Afghan Air Force. One of the primary struggles for air advisors in completing this mission is the geographically distant nature of the units, most of which are located in areas without coalition security. One section has begun a program to
  • Gen. Enayatullah Nazari, acting Minister of Defense, speaking on the importance of women in the Islamic society during the Afghan Air Force International Women’s Day celebration March 8, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. J. LaVoie/Released)

    Afghan Air Force celebrates Women's Day

    Nearly 300 Afghans and Americans gathered at the Kabul Wing March 8 to observe International Women’s Day with a series of speeches and activities focused on highlighting the significance of women. The day began with Gen. Enayatullah Nazari, acting Minister of Defense, speaking on the importance of women in the Islamic society. Nafeesa, a Ministry
  • Kandahar Air Wing recently completed their first 100 flying-hour inspection of the Mi-17, while Kabul Air Wing completed both 100 and 200 flying-hour inspections. In the coming weeks, Kabul airmen will perform a 300 flying-hour inspection, signifying a major milestone toward complete maintenance autonomy of the Mi-17. (Official U.S. Air Force photo)

    Afghan Air Force runs on maintenance

    When most people think about an air force, thoughts of aircraft and pilots are what enter most people’s minds. Few people think about the near countless hours spent behind the scenes to make those aircraft fly. For the maintainers turning wrenches, elbow deep in grease and hydraulic fluid, the pride comes in seeing their aircraft take off and land
  • Last fighting season, the Afghan Air Force supported ground forces with only five Mi-35s, an attack helicopter sporting either 23mm machine guns or 57mm rockets. This year, they will have nearly six times the number of armed aircraft, which includes Mi-17s and MD-530s. (Official U.S. Air Force photo)

    Afghan Air Force braces for Fighting Season ’15

    As winter comes, fighting in Afghanistan usually slows but never stops. The frozen mountain passes offer some refuge from the flow of weapons and explosives. However, with the spring thaw, insurgents reemerge to resume their deadly assault, often with renewed impetus.With the coalition forces drawn down, this fighting season is pivotal as Afghan
  • An Afghan Air Force officer speaks at a recent command and control shurra in Kabul, Afghanistan. The shurra brought members of the Afghan Air Force together with Train, Assist, Advise Command-Air advisors to plan the way ahead for aerial fires support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. J. LaVoie/Released)

    TAAC-Air, Afghan leaders meet to discuss command and control

    Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air leadership recently hosted a shura, a meeting, in order to develop Afghan Air Force aerial fires and close air attack command and control capabilities.The shura, attended by Afghan leadership including the Air Command and Control Center director and Chief of Operations, was an opportunity for an array of
  • An Afghan Air Force Airman instructs Afghan maintainers during an Mi-17 level 3 engine body course. The twelve students are receiving Mi-17 engine initial familiarization training to prepare them to maintain their Mi-17 aircraft fleet which is known as the workhorse of the Afghan Air Force. This training and ability to lead their own courses will lessen their dependence on contractor teaching and eventually contractor maintenance.

    AAF leads training

    An Afghan Air Force Airman instructs Afghan maintainers during an Mi-17 level 3 engine body course. The twelve students are receiving Mi-17 engine initial familiarization training to prepare them to maintain their Mi-17 aircraft fleet which is known as the workhorse of the Afghan Air Force. This training and ability to lead their own courses will
  • U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air commanding general, speaks with Afghan Air Force student pilots Feb. 24, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. With the help of Moody’s Afghan Air Force flying and maintenance training mission, the Afghan Air Force fleet will grow to 112 aircraft through the addition of 20 A-29 Super Tucanos. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dillian )

    TAAC-Air commanding general visits A-29 training program

    U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air commanding general, speaks with Afghan Air Force student pilots Feb. 24, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. With the help of Moody’s Afghan Air Force flying and maintenance training mission, the Afghan Air Force fleet will grow to 112 aircraft through the addition of 20
  • said Lt. Col. Jefferson DeBerry, Deployment Transition Center commander talks with Col. Kent Landrath, TAAC-Air vice commander, about his connection to TAAC-Air history. The DTC team visited to provide assistance to command personnel, as well as offer insight on what the DTC provides returning deployers. (US Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. J. LaVoie/Released)

    DTC offers deployers decompression

    Staff from the Deployment Transition Center in Ramstein Air Base, Germany, visited Train, Advise, Assist Command – Air, Feb. 5-7, to provide assistance to command personnel, as well as offer insight on what the DTC provides returning deployers.Most Airmen assigned to TAAC-Air will spend a few days at the DTC prior to returning home. This stop
  • Spc. Jacob Chappa, 950th Engineer Company, TAAC-Air base security provides over watch to the base's entry. Jacon is one of more than 50 members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard who provide security for Train, Advise, Assist Command - Air. (Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. J. LaVoie/Released)

    Wisconsin Army National Guard provides TAAC-Air security

    The primary mission of Train, Advise, Assist Command – Air is to develop the Afghan Air Force, but that cannot happen without security. Though not initially expecting to perform this particular mission, the 950th Engineer Company, from the Wisconsin Army National Guard, has now taken on this critical task.More than 50 soldiers execute base
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