438th Air Expeditionary Wing
Story by Vladimir Potapenko
Kunar Province, Afghanistan (March 12, 2011) - The Afghan Air Force in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and coalition forces completed a combat resupply mission to Barge Matal in the northern Kunar Valley March 10.
The mission delivered over 9,000 kilograms of weapons, ammunition and food meant to sustain the Afghan National Police located in the remote post that is seen as vital by Afghan officials due to its proximity to Pakistan and history of insurgent activity.
An Afghan Air Force Mi-17 transport helicopter descends for a landing during a combat resupply mission in Barge Matal in the northern Kunar Valley March 10. The AAF worked in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and coalition forces to complete the mission, using ten aircraft to deliver over 9,000 kilograms of weapons, ammunition and food to Afghan National Police stationed in the remote post that is seen as vital by Afghan officials due to its proximity to Pakistan and history of insurgent activity. Following the supply drop-off, forces loaded over 80 ANP bound for their respective homes following a three to six month deployment to the region.
Ten aircraft were used in the mission, with three pairs of Afghan Mi-17 helicopters taking turns landing on a restricted landing-zone covered with a half-meter of snow to distribute the provision and collect the home-bound troops. Each set of helicopters was allotted twenty minutes on the ground to distribute supplies and collect the policemen, many of whom waded through a nearby river to reach the aircraft.
The mission’s success is a totem of progress for the AAF as NATO Air Training Command Afghanistan works to develop Afghanistan’s air force and train the nation’s Airmen in advance of the eventual withdrawal of coalition troops, said U.S. Air Force Col. Kenneth Madura, a NATC-A adviser and the commander of the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group.
“This mission demonstrated that the AAF continues to build their capability to support their own security forces,” said Colonel Madura, adding that the mission was a particularly large one for the force.
“This mission demonstrated that the AAF & MOI can support the needs of Afghanistan by getting to a remote area quickly. These missions also reduce risk for the soldiers on the ground by avoiding ground movement through contested areas. Rotary wing aircraft will be a key for the Afghan National Security Forces since they offer these advantages that Afghanistan requires,” he said.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kurt Geisen, a NATC-A Mi-35 helicopter adviser and lead attack pilot with one of the Mi-35s providing security for the mission, believes the operation is not only a key marker for NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan officials eager to see the AAF stand up under its own might, but a “major morale booster for Afghan Airmen, showing them where the Afghan Air Force’s potential may eventually lead.”
The complexity of the mission and the short turnaround from initial planning to execution is one of the “feathers in the cap” for the Afghans, said one NATC-A official involved with the operation, adding that the operation bridges the gap between simple and more advanced combat missions for the AAF. The task covered five days from inception to completion.
But that which is most impressive may be demonstrating to the Barge Matal villagers the AAF’s and MOI’s cooperation and willingness to work together for the benefit and protection of Afghan citizens, said AAF Lt. Col. Haji Bakhtullah, the lead planner for the mission and one of its pilots.
“From this, Afghans can see that the military is on their side and willing to help in any way possible,” he said.
(c) DoD
Stumble It!
