Afghan Air Force
The Afghan Air Force is the military branch in Afghanistan responsible for air warfare, including air defense.
History
The Air Force had remained a relatively small branch of service until the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the consequent Soviet support for the regime. While the Afghan Air Force was equipped with a large number of aircraft, many of them were manned and maintained by 'advisors' from Czechoslovakia and Cuba and the quality of Afghan pilots was extremely limited.
The Air Force has as many as 7,000 personnel plus 5,000 foreign advisors. Large numbers of aircraft were available, but were all of older design. Strength changed rapidly as combat operations and Soviet supplies continued, but typical strength during the middle of the 1980s was:
- 3 x Interceptor squadrons (around 40 MiG-21)
- 4 x Fighter-bomber squadrons (around 50 MiG-17)
- 3 x Bomber squadrons (around 20 Il-28)
- Transports (around 15 An-26)
- Helicopeters (around 30 Mi-24, Mi-8, and Mi-4)
![[1]](http://user.sezampro.yu/~vkeza/images/mig-21.jpg){kind=link}
After the Soviet withdrawl and the departure of foreign advisors, the Air Force declined rapidly as an effective force. Large numbers of aircraft were reported, but many were not operational, a number that rose through the 1990s. The Air Force ceased to be a single entity, instead breaking up amongst the different factions in the ensuing wars. By the end of the decade, both the Taliban and the Northern Alliance had a number of aircraft under their control, with either able to muster a small force (six to eight aircraft) to support major operations. This was done to a large degree through cannibalization of surviving airframes. These forces were ultimately finished off by American military operations in 2003.
Current
As of 2005 the Afghan Air Force was thought to have around 10 helicopters, including some attack models, and a few light transport planes. No pilot training is presently being undertaken or even planned, as there are numerous of pilots enlisted in the Afghan Air Force who were trained in the communist era, although their quality is dubious. Maintenance technicians are being trained however. Total manpower is around 3600 men including an estimated 450 pilots.
The Afghan Air Force has never been a strong independent force. The Afghan tendency towards de-centralization of military forces and the limited ability of the Afghan economy to pay for expensive equipment combine to make maintenance of a viable Afghan Air Force impossible without steady foreign infusions of money, equipment, and expertise. It is possible that the neglect of the Afghan Air Force is due to the massive American air power that has been made available. Nevertheless, in a country with extremely poor infastructure, air transport capacity would be extremely useful to the Afghan Government.
Inventory
Unknown number of MI-8 helicopters (estimated 10)
Unknown number of AN-26 cargo planes
Facilities
Bagram Air Base is the largest purely military air base in Afghanistan. It is currently a primary center for United States and allied forces for cargo, helicopter, and support flights. Built in 1976, it has a 3,000 m runway capable of handling heavy bomber and cargo aircraft.
Kabul International Airport is the nation's largest airport and the primary hub for international civilian flights. It also is capable of handling military aircraft, and has been used by American forces for cargo flights.
Kandahar Airfield is a dual-use airport serving civilian traffic to Kandahar, Afghanistan and military support for the southern and central portions of the country. Kandahar has been a major center for American forces.
Mazar-e-Sharif Airfield is a dual-use airport serving the northern and central portions of the country. A small American contingent has been based there.
Herat Airfield is the primary civil airport for the eastern portion of the country, but also housed military aircraft.
Shindand Airbase is the second largest military airbase in the country, located just south of Herat with significant military aircraft shelters and facilities.
Sheberghan Airfield is a medium sized civilian airport in the northeast of the country.
A number of smaller airfields exist in the country, including Bamian, Fayzabad, Jalalabad, Khowst, Konduz, Meymanah, and Taloqan.