Rebuilding an national military air force capability from the ground up might not seem a big deal. Get some air platforms, send a bunch of 
guys through training to operate said platforms and voila! Not so fast, Hamid Karzai! The “rebirth” of the Afghan Air Force, at one time a fairly formidable force in the region with an inventory of Soviet-provided aircraft, is on its way, however.
The challenge of bringing back a competent air capability is daunting, much less having it engage in combat operations with any level of success. The underlying support infrastructure is one of the most important elements of this challenge — logistics, spare parts, maintenance, competent and trained personnel — just to mention a few. Add in the tactical challenge of warfare against the resurgent Taliban is difficult under the best of circumstances and you have an impressive series of hurdles to jump over.
The will is obviously there, however, and with the likely plus-up of 3,200 US Marines this spring the region’s spear will get a slightly pointier tip. It may be nothing but baby steps, but that is how you get a solid organic military capability rebuilt from the ground up.
New Aircraft, Home for Afghan Air Force
By JASON STRAZIUSO
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Calling it the “birth of our air force,” Afghan President Hamid Karzai opened a new $22 million U.S.-funded military hangar on Thursday to house a fleet that is expected to triple in the next three years.
Standing in the cavernous hangar opposite Kabul’s international airport, Karzai thanked the U.S. for helping to buy six refurbished Mi-17 transport helicopters and six refurbished Mi-35 helicopter gunships from the Czech Republic, as well as four An-32 transport planes from Ukraine.
The newly acquired aircraft will help transport Afghan troops who are taking on an increasing role in the battle against the Taliban on missions around the country.
The new aircraft and upgraded flight facilities are part of a $183 million U.S.-funded program to bolster the Afghan air force.
Afghanistan once had a strong air force that included hundreds of helicopters and Soviet-built MiG-21 and Su-22 warplanes, but that fleet was devastated by two decades of war.
“Today is again the birth of our air force,” Karzai told a crowd of U.S. and Afghan military personnel. “We should strengthen this air force because it’s very necessary for the Afghan government to have it.”
Read the whole article here.
Pinch Paisley
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Could anyone tell me how the MI-35 performed in action. The helicopter has always fascinated me, yet i know little about it.
The Mi-35 was simply the export version of the Mi-24v “Hind” and should have performed comparably.
THIS WEBSITE CONTAINS VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE mI-35. HOPE IT HELPS.
http://www.metacafe.com/tags/mi35/newest/
I don't envy them for the job ahead, but wish them luck.In 1961 I had an Afgan lieutenant as a classmate in Maintenance Officers school at Chanute AFB. Kind of a neat guy. Yaseen Sediki.with maybe a Mohammed as one part of his name. Wonder where he is now. My advice to them would to get those Corporals and Sergeants trained up to the "5" and "7" level competance. Use them to run maintenance.Recall as many as possible from the old AIr Corps, Have at least a Lt COl as chief of maint of a squadron.COmpany grade Capts and Lts in flight line supervision. Dont worry about age right now. Start a school, clean up a few of the old airplanes which survived the war.Use for training aids. Recall all the pilots you can. Even grounded officers make good Logistics Officers. Taylor McKinnon, Major USAF Retired.
Awesome first time someone advising like he cares, thanks borther. I am an afghan airforce pilot I flew only 200hrs none combat on a mig23 MLD in krisnadarskaya. Russia never give afghans those planes but thanks indeed god bless.
In logistics, if you are training an emerging country,you are years ahead if the country acquires aircraft which they have formerly operated.This is true for aircrew also.An added benefit for Afganistan would be that the old soviet block aircraft they formerly operated are dirt cheap on the used market. Parts also.One thing you will always run into is higher ups in the new air corps wanting high performance aircraft.Afgans operated L-39 Albatross jets which which also are dirt cheap. Good choice. MCK
LONG LIVE AFGHANISTAN