Six Afghan Pilots Get Their Wings To Fly Black Hawks

AVA- At least six Afghan Air Force helicopter pilots have completed a six-week training course at Kandahar Airport and will now fly Black Hawks. 
 
The pilots, who have until now flown Russian MI-17 helicopters, said they were ready to fly Afghanistan’s latest acquisitions – the US-sponsored Black Hawks. 
 
Addressing a ceremony at Kandahar Airport, Air Force officials said they will now be able to use the helicopters for their missions.
 
“The Black Hawks can positively impact our missions because they are technologically advanced and can be used in defensive situations. Meanwhile, our missions will cost less with the Black Hawk helicopters,” said Jawad Saqib, an Afghan Air Force pilot who completed the training course.
 
“The cost (of flying) Black Hawks is much less than that of MI-17 helicopters. For every 800 liters of fuel for the MI17s we will consume only 400 liters of fuel for Black Hawk helicopters,” said Captain Jamshed, another pilot.
 
At the same event, Gen. Raziq Shirzai, Commander of Kandahar Air Regiment, said the US helicopters will be used in Afghan missions from now on.
 
“Today, we celebrate the completion of the first round of Afghan pilots’ training program to fly Black Hawk helicopters. The pilots will receive their certificates today and will fly Black Hawk helicopters after this,” he said.
 
He said the Air Force in the southern zone will be further strengthened within the upcoming four years. 
 
A few months ago, the United States announced that it will provide the Afghan Air Force with 150 Black Hawks and other aircraft over the next four years.
 
Defense ministry officials have said the helicopters promised by the US would help them overcome the challenges that existed in the anti-terror fight.
 
In July, Afghan and US officials said efforts are underway to replace Russian MI-35 helicopters with American Black Hawks within three months as part of the government’s plans to increase the number of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) aircrafts to 260 from a total of 120 within the upcoming seven years.  
 
Statistics by the Afghan Air Force reveal that there are four MI-35 Russian helicopters and 26 MI-17 helicopters in Afghanistan. Two of the MI-35 Russian helicopters need repairing.
 
The statistics reveal that Afghanistan has 120 aircrafts in total including 56 bombers, 60 cargo planes and 71 helicopters.
 
The number, officials said, will be increased to 260 in total including 175 strike planes, 89 cargo planes and 214 helicopters.