Kandahar Air Wing Air Assaults Afghan Soldiers, Police Officers

By Sgt. Daniel Schroeder

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Kandahar Air Wing aircrews led an air assault where they transported Afghan National Police officers and soldiers from 6th Kandak, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army in Panjwa'i District, Afghanistan, April 1, with mentorship from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. "Every step went well," said Maj. Judah Lyons, 25th CAB Plans Officer. "They executed the mission proficiently and demonstrated professionalism during the operation."

The air assault consisted of a total of 60 ANA soldiers and ANP officers requiring two separate assaults to be made on two different landing zones.

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja, Afghanistan. Photo: Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

"I am very happy to have conducted a successful operation," said Capt. Nazar Aziz, a pilot with the Afghan Air Wing, Afghan Air Force. "One of the things that allowed for us to be successful was the good communication between the ground-to-air and between the helicopters." Communication was a critical factor in the success of the mission.

The communication between all parties involved allowed for the operation to run smoother which was important considering the increased amount of soldiers, police officers and landing zones involved. The air assault is the 3rd to be executed since the KAW and 25th CAB began working together in early January. Solid progress has been made since the last air assault where the KAW dropped off one group of 20 ANA soldiers.

In this operation, aircrews inserted three times more troops onto the battlefield from the last air assault. "This is the most complex air assault they have done to date which shows definite progress in the right direction," said Lyons. More air assaults are planned between the KAW and 25th CAB with each one allowing the Afghan Air Wing to progress with taking a stronger lead while the CAB continues to transition from assisting to watching.

Mohammad, a police officer with Panjwa'i Afghan National Police, exits an Mi-17 helicopter while conducting proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces. Photo: Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcoming mission. Photo: Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army unload from Mi-17 helicopters from Kandahar Air Wing. Photo: Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army and police officers from Panjwa'i Afghan National Police unload from Mi-17 helicopters from Kandahar Air Wing. Photo by: Sgt. Daniel Schroeder | 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs