The Afghan Special Mission Wing “Green Platoon” began an arduous, eight-week training cycle designed to integrate pilots, crew chiefs, flight engineers, and flight medics into the nation’s only special operations aviation unit with the start of classes in Kabul, Mar. 17, 2018. The course provides detailed instruction and challenging practical application exercises that test candidates' technical and tactical proficiency.
Aircrew synchronization is the foundation of Green Platoon training, built on the philosophy that no crew task is an individual accomplishment. Green Platoon training reinforces SMW’s culture of teamwork in its principles and procedures to develop effective crews.
Platoon training emphasizes both basic pilot and cockpit management skills, as well as advanced mission training, by honing skills to include flight operations in mountain and desert environments, personnel recovery, advanced medical competence and aviation safety.
The SMW performs a full-range of special operations aviation missions to include counternarcotics, counterterrorism, ISR, and casualty evacuation.
This Green Platoon class will graduate in May.