Afghan Air Force Reconstituted

[unhappycamper]

Afghan Air Force Reconstituted

Rebuilding an national military air force capability from the ground up might not seem a big deal. Get some air platforms, send a bunch of guys through training to operate said platforms and voila! Not so fast, Hamid Karzai! The "rebirth" of the Afghan Air Force, at one time a fairly formidable force in the region with an inventory of Soviet-provided aircraft, is on its way, however.

The challenge of bringing back a competent air capability is daunting, much less having it engage in combat operations with any level of success. The underlying support infrastructure is one of the most important elements of this challenge - logistics, spare parts, maintenance, competent and trained personnel - just to mention a few. Add in the tactical challenge of warfare against the resurgent Taliban is difficult under the best of circumstances and you have an impressive series of hurdles to jump over.

The will is obviously there, however, and with the likely plus-up of 3,200 US Marines this spring the region's spear will get a slightly pointier tip. It may be nothing but baby steps, but that is how you get a solid organic military capability rebuilt from the ground up.

New Aircraft, Home for Afghan Air Force
By JASON STRAZIUSO

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Calling it the "birth of our air force," Afghan President Hamid Karzai opened a new $22 million U.S.-funded military hangar on Thursday to house a fleet that is expected to triple in the next three years.


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