Afghan air corps could start flying in 2013

[unhappycamper]

Afghan air corps could start flying in 2013
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 24, 2008 17:03:25 EST

Unless the political winds shift dramatically, U.S. Air Force assets will be flying close-air support combat missions in Afghanistan until at least 2013.

That is the earliest point at which the Afghan National Army Air Corps will begin gaining that capability, the top U.S. Air Force trainer there said Thursday.

According to the 8-year plan of the U.S.-led Combined Air Power Transition Force, the nascent Afghan air corps will not begin flying “light attack” fixed-wing combat missions until 2013.

“And initially, that will ... be a U.S.-led squadron, as we train the Afghans how to do close-air support and how to integrate with the ground forces in the close-air support mission,” said Brig. Gen. Jay Lindell, who spoke with Pentagon reporters Thursday via a satellite linkup.

The Afghan Air Corps is in the very earliest stages of redevelopment following decades of war. As of Jan. 5, the entire corps is composed of four fixed-wing transport aircraft — two Antonov 26s and two Antonov 32s, and 16 helicopters — 10 Mi-17s and six Mi-35s.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/military_afghanistan_airpower_080124w/