KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The Kandahar Air Wing kicked off 2011 with their second annual Open House. Over 700 Afghan civil and tribal leaders, Afghan National Security Force and NATO personnel and Kandahar Area school-aged children attended the three-part event.
Afghan air force Maj. Gen. Abdul Raziq Sherzai, commander of the Kandahar Air Wing, welcomed the crowd and thanked NATO for their support in developing his wing and the Afghan National Security Forces in the spirit of “Hamkari” (the Pashto word for cooperation).
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of those killed, deployed NATO personnel and their families. Other speakers included Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Amir Mohammad, the deputy commander of the 205th Corps; U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Kendall, commander of the NATO Kandahar Airfield; tribal leader Haji Nasurullah and U.S. Air Force Col. Bernard Mater, commander of the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. Together, they highlighted the cooperation between NATO and Afghanistan and the growing capabilities of Afghan National Security Forces for a brighter Afghanistan.
After the opening ceremonies the visitors toured the flightline to see Afghan Air Force and NATO aircraft. On display were AAF Mi-17 helicopters and C-27 and AN-32 aircraft plus a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and U.S. Air Force A-10 and Reaper aircraft. While the children enjoyed exploring the manned aircraft, the Afghan Elders and Maliks were fascinated by the Reaper.