fatman17
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Date Posted: 24-Aug-2010
Jane's Defence Weekly
Afghan 'Hinds' begin combat operations
Gareth Jennings Jane's Aviation Desk Editor - London
The Afghan National Army Air Force (ANAAF) has begun combat operations withf its Mil Mi-35 'Hind E' assault helicopters in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan ground troops in the country, the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTMA) announced on 23 August.
With the recent declaration of an initial operating capability of the type, pilots from the ANAAF (formerly the Afghan National Army Air Corps [ANAAC]) have been operating with US Army Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopter personnel from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) as they build up their capability to the point where they will be undertaking independent, autonomous operations.
The Afghan 'Hind' crews have been trained by NATO forces from various countries including the Czech Republic and Hungary, both operators of the type. In addition, US Air Force (USAF) pilot Major Caleb Nimmo of the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Combined Air Power Transition Force, has been trained on the Mi-35 and serves as an advisor to the ANAAF.
According to NTMA, the Mi-35's first combat mission occurred on 18 August when US Apache helicopters from the 3rd CAB received an urgent call reporting a convoy attack along their designated route. The combined Apache/'Hind' force then engaged the enemy, with the Mi-35s providing "overwhelming and intimidating airpower". Although neither the Apaches nor the 'Hinds' expended any live ordnance during the incident due to the risk of causing collateral damage, "the insurgents ceased attack and withdrew from the area", a NTM-A statement said.
"This was the first operational mission between the two squadrons. Learning points will be added to the standard operating procedures. Both sides recognised that they worked well together and actually complimented each other on their respective aircraft's capabilities and individual pilots' skills," the statement added.
The ANAAF's Mi-35 helicopters are operated by the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron of the Kabul Air Wing. The unit also operates Russian-built Mil Mi-17 'Hip' transport helicopter.
The Mi-35 is the export variant of the venerable Mi-24 that first entered Soviet service in the early 1970s. Having seen service with many former Eastern Bloc and Third World countries, the 'Hind' is also operated by the USAF as an aggressor aircraft at the Red Flag weapons school at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and the US Marine Corps' Air Weapons and Tactics School in Yuma, Arizona.
The ANAAF operates nine Mi-35s, which were supplied by the Czech Republic from 2008.
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2010
Jane's Defence Weekly
Afghan 'Hinds' begin combat operations
Gareth Jennings Jane's Aviation Desk Editor - London
The Afghan National Army Air Force (ANAAF) has begun combat operations withf its Mil Mi-35 'Hind E' assault helicopters in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan ground troops in the country, the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTMA) announced on 23 August.
With the recent declaration of an initial operating capability of the type, pilots from the ANAAF (formerly the Afghan National Army Air Corps [ANAAC]) have been operating with US Army Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopter personnel from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) as they build up their capability to the point where they will be undertaking independent, autonomous operations.
The Afghan 'Hind' crews have been trained by NATO forces from various countries including the Czech Republic and Hungary, both operators of the type. In addition, US Air Force (USAF) pilot Major Caleb Nimmo of the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Combined Air Power Transition Force, has been trained on the Mi-35 and serves as an advisor to the ANAAF.
According to NTMA, the Mi-35's first combat mission occurred on 18 August when US Apache helicopters from the 3rd CAB received an urgent call reporting a convoy attack along their designated route. The combined Apache/'Hind' force then engaged the enemy, with the Mi-35s providing "overwhelming and intimidating airpower". Although neither the Apaches nor the 'Hinds' expended any live ordnance during the incident due to the risk of causing collateral damage, "the insurgents ceased attack and withdrew from the area", a NTM-A statement said.
"This was the first operational mission between the two squadrons. Learning points will be added to the standard operating procedures. Both sides recognised that they worked well together and actually complimented each other on their respective aircraft's capabilities and individual pilots' skills," the statement added.
The ANAAF's Mi-35 helicopters are operated by the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron of the Kabul Air Wing. The unit also operates Russian-built Mil Mi-17 'Hip' transport helicopter.
The Mi-35 is the export variant of the venerable Mi-24 that first entered Soviet service in the early 1970s. Having seen service with many former Eastern Bloc and Third World countries, the 'Hind' is also operated by the USAF as an aggressor aircraft at the Red Flag weapons school at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and the US Marine Corps' Air Weapons and Tactics School in Yuma, Arizona.
The ANAAF operates nine Mi-35s, which were supplied by the Czech Republic from 2008.
