Transition Command Helps to Build Afghan Air Corps

KABUL, Afghanistan --- The Afghan National Army Air Corps has received the first three of six Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters, adding to its growing capabilities.>> The helicopters, donated by the Czech Republic, were refurbished by members of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan.>> The Afghan air corps provides trained and ready airmen and soldiers to execute critical air support to the Afghan National Army. When directed by the Afghan Defense Ministry, the corps also supports Afghan civil authorities at all levels.>> "Air power is extremely important in this operational environment that we are in right now, said Air Force Col. Dan Miller, vice commander of the Combined Air Power Transition Force and the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing. "It makes sense because of these rocky mountains, the lack of good roads or railroads, the forbidding terrain that covers much of the country and the threat of [improvised explosive devices], that you should fly.">> Ten months ago, NATO allies flew 90 percent of the missions in support of the Afghans. Today, Afghans fly 90 percent of their own missions as a result of air corps development.>> The Combined Air Power Transition Force, in coordination with the Afghan Defense Ministry and the air corps, is helping to build the Afghan air corps by recertifying trained Afghan pilots and using refurbished Soviet aircraft that are familiar platforms to Afghan pilots and crews, officials said.>> "Right now, the ANAAC has 34 planes. Back in 2007, when we stood up, there were only 13," Miller said. "This task force is to build this air corps up, and we have a campaign plan that takes us out until 2016. We're building air power, organizing training equipment, simultaneously building their command and control, and we're also building bases, infrastructure and simple things we take for granted in our military.