Slovak Soldiers To Train Afghan Technicians in Mi-17, 171 Helicopter Maintenance

Slovak soldiers in Afghanistan as part of the Resolute Support Mission will be given a new task of training technical staff of the Afghan National Army to handle Mi-17/171 helicopters, the Slovak government said Wednesday.

Xinhua reported today that the soldiers who will train the Afghan technical staff will be integrated into an air training team called the Air Advisory Team. They will be able to operate in all locations where operations take place in Afghanistan. Before they leave on their mission, they will undergo training either in the Czech Republic or Croatia.

Although the Slovak soldiers will be given new tasks, the mandate - which includes 66 members of the Armed Forces - will not change. Currently, there are 39 Slovak soldiers in Operation Resolute Support.

Some are in the command structures of the operation, while others are medics. Others perform special operations or tasks within the National Support Element and roles within the Communication and Information Systems.