A joint team of Afghan national army air corps soldiers and U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group flew two MI-17 helicopters to conduct a re-supply mission to forward-operating bases for Afghanistan's 203rd Air National Corps, Feb. 17.
"Joint missions like this give us a chance to mentor Afghan soldiers on flight plans, briefings and mitigating risks during re-supply missions," said Col. Brad Grambo, 438th AEAG commander and MI-17 instructor pilot.
The joint crew delivered approximately 100 Afghan national army soldiers and three tons of cargo to forward operating bases throughout eastern Afghanistan. Cargo included beans, potatoes, onions, meat, weapons and bullets for Afghan soldiers.
"A mission like this is very important for our country's struggle," said 1st Lt. Mohammad Thair, ANAAC helicopter pilot. "Every time we do a mission with our mentors we learn something new and get better. That is always good."
While re-supply missions are conducted three times a week, repetitive uses of checklist and safety procedures are crucial to the future of Afghan security.
"The end goal is for the Afghans to be able to support their own mission without our presence here," said Maj. Destry Hill, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron aviation mentor. "Like any teacher you want to see your students improve every time you teach them something new; and sometimes you wonder if they're grasping what you're teaching and then they do good things on their own and it makes you proud.
"The Afghans make improvement every day and I am proud to be a part of history," he said. The Feb. 17, re-supply mission included one helicopter with a joint aircrew of two U.S. Air Force pilots and two Afghans, a crew chief and a flight engineer; with another helicopter crewed entirely by Afghan aviators.
"I am proud to see air crews with Afghan soldiers," said Col. Sheer Afgal, 203rd ANA Corp commander. "It shows we are getting closer to leading the way in our own security. I can see a time when these missions will be flown [solely] by Afghan soldiers. "
With a goal for Afghanistan to have an independent air force by the end of the year, routine missions like this will be key to making those goals a reality.
"Today was a good flight, I was in constant contact with my Afghan counterparts we used our checklist," Grambo said. "We used weights and balances to ensure we had proper cargo loads and the Afghans showed improvement.
"We are on the right track," he said. "The Afghans are smart and resourceful and as long as we keep them resourced, their future looks bright."