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AAF responds, supports critical presidential mission
Posted 7/14/2011 Updated 7/15/2011
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by Capt. Jamie Humphries
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
7/14/2011 - KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan air force airmen, with assistance from 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition personnel, responded to a direct request for support from the presidential palace July 12.
The request for support came on the heels of the assassination of Ahmed Wali Karzai, Afghan President Hamid Karzai's half-brother, in the southern province of Kandahar.
Due to the known ability of the Afghan air force to respond to the short-notice tasking, government officials immediately contacted AAF leaders in hopes they could provide relief officials in Kabul.
Top AAF officials were notified, support was requested in the afternoon and mobilization efforts began in conjunction with 438th air advisers. A total of nine aircraft were scrambled including five C-27s, two Mi-17s to be used for distinguished-visitor transport and two additional Mi-17s needed to transport additional cargo and passengers. According to wing officials, two Mi-17s would also be prepositioned for a presidential advance team.
"Once we got the call for support, the aircraft here on the AAF compound were prepared and ready to go in around 50 minutes," said Lt. Col. Christopher Tacheny, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. "All initial planning for this mission was completed by AAF members with adviser over watch and it went very smoothly."
As teams prepared aircraft and helicopters for takeoff, more than 120 Afghan passengers including presidential and provincial government dignitaries, presidential security and Afghan commandos were loaded in preparation for an expedited takeoff. Mixed AAF and U.S. aircrew, as well as maintenance personnel, prepared for departure and facilitated the mission to AAF Kandahar Air Wing.
Experts indicate the commandos were part of an advanced team of Afghan security professionals sent to provide forward support for the arrival of expected presidential cabinet members; distinguished visitors including Gul Agha Sherzi, the governor of Nangarhar province; and high-ranking Afghan military officials.
"The effort you saw today was the culmination of many hours spent between the AAF and 438th advisers," said Col. Bryan Bartlett, 438th AEW vice commander. "The Afghans were called and asked to provide support for this important presidential mission and they responded with great speed and professionalism."
As rapid air movement throughout Afghanistan becomes more critical, a response of this nature could lead to greater confidence in the ability of the AAF to build, maintain and operate their own independent operationally-capable Air Force.
"Today, our AAF airmen responded to a very important mission with courage and honor," said Gen. Abdul Wahab Wardak, AAF commander. "Our nation called on us to perform at a very high level and airmen here responded and completed our national duty."
In March, the Presidential Airlift Squadron moved President Karzai by an all-Afghan crew for this first time in history. |
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