NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Courtesy Story

As the Afghan National Army Air Corps stands up more units outside of Kabul, the Combined Air Power Transition Force continues to add mentors and grow alongside them.

When the Air Corps was revitalized four years ago, they had one wing at Kabul International Airport and two detachments of Mi-17 all-purpose helicopters; one in Kandahar and one in Herat. Today the Air Corps is on the verge of standing up its second wing at Kandahar with an aircrew training center planned for Shindand.

"Without assistance from our coalition partners and international partners, we would not be able to achieve what we have achieved," said Maj. Gen. Mohammed Dawran, commander of the ANA Air Corps. "The Afghan nation wants to be self sufficient and stand on their own feet eventually and not require such sustained assistance from our international partners. For the time being, we need international partners to assist in the development in the Afghan National Air Corps."

This growth in Air Corps personnel, from 2,700 Airmen at present to almost 8,000 by 2016, will enable an increase in capabilities desperately needed by Afghan national security forces. Currently, the Air Corps has a fleet of more than 35 aircraft including Mi-17s, Mi-35 attack helicopters, and An-32 transport planes. By 2016 this fleet should swell to over 150 aircraft and will include C-27 transport planes, both basic rotary- and fixed-wing training aircraft, and light-attack aircraft.

To match the growth of the Air Corps, CAPTF is also expanding. They recently submitted the largest Request for Forces in its history, which would more than double the current mentoring capabilities by the end of 2011.

"We currently have 200 mentors in CAPTF covering 75 different job specialties. This year we have projected the largest CAPTF growth ever in the mentoring effort for the ANAAC," said 1st Lt. Boyd Walker, CAPTF J1 director, Manpower and Personnel. "We are in the midst of standing up one new group, a new detachment, and five new squadrons to expand our mentoring capabilities."

The primary focus of the Air Corps today is battlefield mobility. This includes moving cargo, soldiers, injured Afghan security forces and human remains throughout the theater. To succeed, the Air Corps is expanding its footprint, while mentors follow suit.

"The CAPTF campaign plan relays the extreme need for Air Power—terrain and limited ground transport like roads and rail drastically limit mobility in Afghanistan," said Col. Mark Nichols, commander of the Air Expeditionary Training Group at Kandahar. "Some of the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan is currently focused just west of Kandahar city. Standing up the Kandahar Air Wing is a critical component in shaping air power for Afghanistan in the southern region and integrating them into the fight."

The ANAAC and CAPTF growth couldn't come at a more critical time. During the recent presidential elections, the Air Corps was called upon to provide airlift for presidential candidates, and deliver/retrieve election material from numerous provinces. In addition, six Mi-35 pilots completed close combat support training and provide armed escort and show of force capabilities.

The rate of ANAAC growth in only four years is a great testament to the success of the mentorship program. CAPTF is expanding its vital role alongside the Afghan people who are taking the initiative and steps in securing their great nation.

[Editor's note: This article was written by Lt. Col. Christopher Fuller, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing/Combined Air Power Transition Force]

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