AAF conducts 1st Black Hawk operational mission

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan Air Force (AAF) UH-60 Black Hawk crews conducted their first operational mission in southern Helmand province, the Resolute Support said on Wednesday. 

The mission, which was conducted on Tuesday in support of the elections, took place a day after the first 31 Afghan Air Force (AAF) members graduated from mission qualification training.

“It means a lot to be one of the first people to graduate,” said the air mission commander for the first Afghan operational mission. “We feel ready and are so excited, happy and proud to be part of this.”

Brig. Gen. Phillip Stewart of the NATO mission said the introduction of the Black Hawk helicopters and the graduates themselves represented a shift to a new generation of leaders.

Stewart was quoted as saying the new generation of leaders had been selected based on merit and professionalism, and entrusted to help create a modern and sustainable Afghan force.

“The introduction of the UH-60 marks the dawning of a new age for the Afghan Air Force,” said Stewart. “All of those who graduated mission qualification school have shown tremendous hard work and dedication.

“Not only are these aircraft and students the physical embodiment of progress, but they also represent a generational shift from the older soviet-trained forces to the younger and more progressive western-trained and educated fleet.”

The UH-60 will enhance the AAF helicopter fleet and eventually replace the capabilities currently provided by the Mi-17, which is no longer a sustainable platform.

AAF Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Shoaib said the Black Hawks were ideal for Afghanistan because they were suitable for the terrain and weather, and they possessed more modern technology.

The first UH-60 Black Hawks arrived in Afghanistan seven months ago, allowing the training programme to begin 18 months ahead of schedule.

Currently the Afghan Air Force has 13 of these aircraft in its fleet, with two more scheduled to arrive each month through the end of 2018.

Over the next five years, AAF plans to add over 100 more UH-60 variants to their inventory, allowing for increased aerial fires and lift capabilities, thus building a stronger, more capable force.

“AAF modernisation is essential for increasing competence, instruction and education with merit-based advancement of its best leaders,” said US Air Force Col. Christopher Goodyear.

“The Afghan Air Force has come a very long way in a very short time; this mission is further proof of the air crew’s hard work and dedication.”

pr/mud

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