September 9,
2008: The U.S. has completed building a
main facility for the Afghan Air Corps. At the north end of Kabul's civilian airport, a separate, $183 million,
airbase has been completed (including a hospital, barracks, hangers,
classrooms, conference center and workshops). There, 1,300 members of the air corps, along with 17 Mi-17 transport
helicopters, three Mi-35 helicopter gunships and six AN-26 and 32 transports,
will be stationed. The air corps are also some L-39 trainers and AH-1
helicopter gunships. Over the next three years, another 32 Mi-17 helicopters
will arrive, as well as 18 C-27A transports to replace the elderly An-26/32
aircraft. The Afghans are also shopping for a single engine, propeller driven,
aircraft that can double as a trainer and as a light attack aircraft. There are
several models out there competing for this sale.
