Afghan Air Force Gardez Mission by the numbers

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.03.2010

Story by Capt. Robert Leese 

438th Air Expeditionary Wing

KABUL, Afghanistan - It was another successful day for the Afghan Air Force as the delivered 500 radios, 100 Afghan National Army troops and 6 Afghan Air Force members in 2 AAF Mi-17s helicopters flown by AAF pilots and advised by Croatians aircrew, Nov 3.

The AAF aircrew and their Croatian advisors from NATO Air Training Command – Afghanistan performed multiple missions southeast of Kabul when they delivered 500 radios to Ghazni, moved 100 Afghan National Army troops from Sharana to Gardez and Orgun-e and six AAF personnel back to Kabul from Gardez.

The radios are a part of the Radio Azadi radio distribution project. The AAF and NATC-A have provided assistance transporting the radios across the country. Radio Azadi began distributing 20,000 solar-powered, hand-cranked radios to people in refugee camps, villages and cities across Afghanistan prior to the Parliamentary elections.

The objective of this radio distribution program is to help citizens become more informed about the democratic process and demonstrate the commitment of the Afghan authorities and international community to the Afghan people, particularly those living in rural and isolated villages.

During President Karzi visited to Paktika Province, many ANA soldiers were moved to provide security for the visit in early Nov. Now the AAF was charged with moving them back to their bases. 60 members of the 203rd Corps, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Battalion were moved to back to Gardez and 40 members of the 203rd Corps, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Battalion were taken to Orgun-e. Finally, six Airmen were returned to the Kabul Air Force Base at the end of the day.

It was another busy day supporting the ANA’s 203rd Corps and distributing humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2010
• Date Posted: 11.05.2010 10:29
• Story ID: 59492
• Location: KABUL, AF