NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Army Air Corps celebrated the arrival of two, newly-refurbished C27 aircraft with a dedication ceremony, Nov. 15, at the Kabul International Airport.

The event signified a new chapter in the history of the Air Corps, and modernization for their aerial fleet.

"In the past two years the president of Afghanistan, Chief of Staff of the Army, Ministry of Defense and our international friends, especially the United States of America, has been tremendously supportive in upgrading and developing the capabilities of the Afghan national army air corps," said Maj. Gen. Mohammad Dawran, commanding general of the air corps.

The addition of the C27 means greater capabilities for the Air Corps. The aircraft will not only support combat missions, but also humanitarian and civilian assistance during emergency situations.

"The Air Corps is a key element of yesterday and today's army," said Dawran. "This is getting us closer to our goals and ambitions, which means integrity, self sufficiency and independence."

Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, also spoke of the importance of these new aircraft.

"With the delivery of the C-27, the brave and skilled pilots of the Air Corps gain the ability to conduct many of the same airlift missions done by coalition forces in defense of their country," said McChrystal.

The ISAF commander also said the planes represent coalition forces sustained commitment to the continued growth and modernization of the Afghan National Security Forces.

"In our efforts to secure a free and independent Afghanistan, we sometimes stumble. But together we will not fall," said McChrystal. "Following the example of this effort to launch the C27 fleet, we can look forward to the day when Afghanistan, like this aircraft will take off under its own power to fly through peaceful skies."

The C-27 is a rugged, twin-engine turboprop aircraft with short take-off and landing capability allowing access to airstrips otherwise unreachable by fixed-wing aircraft. It can carry up to 23,600 pounds of cargo and fuel, as well as operate on unimproved airfields as short as 3,000 feet, making it ideal for the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.

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