Afghan Air Force Returns From Pakistani Relief Mission

AFGHANISTAN

09.04.2010

Story by Capt. Robert Leese 

438th Air Expeditionary Wing

Four AAF Mi-17 helicopters with crews of 22 AAF flew flood rescue and aid relief missions in Pakistan. During the last month, the AAF flew 401 sorties moving 1,904 passenger and aid workers, while rescuing 120 people stranded in one of the worst floods in Pakistan’s history. They moved more than 188 tons of lifesaving aid including including food, medicine and shelter.

On Sept. 4, 2010, they returned to a crowd of cheering airmen at the AAF base in Kabul. Each member received flowers and was praised during an award ceremony by the Afghan National Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi and the AAF commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Darwan.

“In my one year here, the Afghans have excelled in humanitarian aid missions. I knew they were ready to do this mission on their own...It shows you how much progress they have made. This mission is one of their highlights this year,” Brig. Gen. Michael Boera, Combined Air Power Transition Force Commander said.

This is not the first time the AAF has performed this type of mission. Over a two-day period in July 2010, combined Afghan and Combined Air Power Transition Force aircrews rescued more than 2,100 people stranded near Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 09.04.2010
• Date Posted: 09.05.2010 05:19
• Story ID: 55736
• Location: AF