21-Apr-13 Mil Mi-8T Azr district, Afghanistan
21-Apr-13
Emergency landing off airfield. 12 occupants (2x USA, 7x Turkish, 1x Russian, 2x Afghan) captured by Taliban forces, who claim to have destroyed the helicopter, which may be one of YA-KHA/B/C/D/E
09-Apr-12 Boeing AH-64 Pechigram district, Afghanistan (2F)
09-Apr-13
Two US soldiers killed in helicopter crash. A press release from the Pennsylvania National Guard named the pair as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Ruffner, 34, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jarett Yoder, 27.
Group from Congress try to block US purchase of Mi-17s
Source: Rosa DeLauro, 08-Apr-13
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) led a bipartisan group of members today urging Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel not to purchase additional helicopters from the state-owned Russian arms dealer Rosoboronexport. That company has continued to transfer weapons to the Assad regime, enabling mass atrocities. The group sent the letter amid reports that the Department of Defense [...]
Afghan helicopters support independent operations
Source: US Marine Corps, 02-Apr-13
The Uruzgan based 4th Brigade of the Afghan National Army has taken major steps in perfecting its logistic resupply and casualty evacuation capabilities by using helicopters from the Kandahar Air Wing. During an independent operation in Kajran district, Daykundi province, Afghan forces coordinated an ammunition, personnel and equipment resupply from Tarin Kot, Uruzgan, using two [...]
Spain ships three Tigers to Afghanistan
Source: Spanish Military, 28-Mar-13
[electronic translation] In his first combat mission, the ‘Tiger’ capacities to provide protection and security to our forces in retreat Three helicopters ‘Tiger’ Battalion Attack Helicopter (BHELA) No. 1, located at the base ‘Coronel Sánchez Bilbao’ de Almagro (Ciudad Real), have been embarked today on a transport plane ‘Antonov’ for transfer to the base of Herat.There [...]
Swedish Black Hawks head for Afghanistan
Source: Nordic Rotors, 19-Mar-13
Last week, the first two HKP 16 Black Hawks were airlifted from the Linköping Helicopter Base to to Camp Marmal in Afghanistan. This is done at the same time as the HKP 10B Super Pumas are making their last week in alert as medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopters in Afghanistan. A total of four HKP 16 [...]
11-Mar-13 Sikorsky UH-60 Daman district, Afghanistan (5F)
11-Mar-13
Helicopter went down during rain storm
Upgraded British Chinook operational in Afghanistan
Source: Royal Air Force, 11-Jan-13
With an initial release to service granted in May 2012, RAF Chinooks crews were able to begin their operational work-up on the Mk 4 before declaring an initial operating capability in June 2012. This in turn allowed the first RAF crews to operate the Chinook Mk4 in support of UK security operations during the London [...]
Unmanned K-MAX Wins Top Innovation Honors, USMC Praise
Source: Kaman, 09-Jan-13
The unmanned K-MAX(R) helicopter’s peerless ability to resupply combat troops safely, precisely and efficiently has won top honors from the prestigious magazines Popular Science and Aviation Week and has garnered high praise from the U.S. Marine Corps, which is expanding the aircraft’s role in Afghanistan. “We are proud of the Unmanned K-MAX’s performance in supporting [...]
Medevac crews in Afghanistan increase en-route patient care
Source: US Army, 09-Jan-13
During the course of the last several months, two medevac companies in Task Force Hammerhead have participated in a trial program developed by the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade that enables flight medics to administer blood products to wounded Soldiers during the Soldiers’ en-route flight care and movement to a medical facility. The 3-25th General Support [...]
Colombia’s Vertical de Aviacion adds three Mi-171s
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Jan-13
Vertical de Aviacion has added three Mi-8s to its fleet, believed to be part of its ongoing support flights in Afghanistan. In the last three years, US Dept of Defense has contracted the company to the value of $498 Million – see details. The three Mi-8s have been acquired pre-owned, one from South Africa and [...]
AAR reports Fiscal 2013 Q2 results
Source: AAR, 19-Dec-12
AAR (NYSE: AIR) today reported second quarter fiscal year 2013 consolidated sales of $512.8 million and net income of $17.8 million, or $0.44 per diluted share. This compares to year-ago sales of $482.0 million and net income of $17.6 million, or $0.43 per diluted share. Commercial sales increased 28% over the prior year’s second quarter, rising to 60% of consolidated sales compared to 50% of consolidated [...]
Swedish Helicopter Wing to outline extended Afghan mission
Source: Defence IQ, 13-Dec-12
As Swedish Armed Forces prepare to redeploy again to Afghanistan in April 2013, the commander of the Helicopter Wing is set to meet with military peers at Defence IQ’s International Military Helicopter event in January to discuss the acquisition of UH-60M Black Hawks that has made the mission possible. Following the delivery of 15 of the aircraft last year, Colonel Magnus [...]
AAR awarded $143M more work in Afghanistan
Source: US DoD, 04-Dec-12
AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., is being awarded a $143,668,332 option year modification for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and the option will start Dec. 1, 2012, to be completed by Nov. 30, [...]
Canadian Helicopters awarded $37M more work in Afghanistan
Source: US DoD, 04-Dec-12
HNZ Group Inc. (TSX: HNZ.A, HNZ.B) (“HNZ Group”), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, announced today that the United States Transportation Command (“USTRANSCOM”) has exercised its renewal option, subject to funding, to extend until November 30, 2013 the contract for work in Afghanistan previously announced on December 22, 2008 involving the [...]
Evergreen Helicopters sued by whistleblower
Source: News Register, 25-Nov-12
A San Diego man who worked for Evergreen Helicopters in Afghanistan is suing the company alleging it committed safety violations that endangered employees and the fired him when he raised the issue. (see full story)
10th CAB Kiowa pilots receive awards from France
Source: US Army, 07-Nov-12
Two U.S. Army OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilots from 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Drum, received the Cross of Military Valor with Silver Star, one of the highest French military awards, during a ceremony Oct. 23, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Capt. Benjamin H. March and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keenan A. Bachmeyer each earned the [...]
Canadian Helicopters awarded $72M for Afghanistan work
Source: US DoD, 05-Nov-12
Canadian Commercial Corp./Canadian Helicopters Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, $72,393,145 (HTC711-10-D-R025); AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., $161,544,147; (HTC711-10-D-R026 TO 0001 and 0002); Vertical de Aviacion Ltd., Bogota, Columbia, $214,259,924 (HTC711-10-D-R027 TO 0001 and TO 0002); Evergreen Helicopters Inc., McMinnville, Ore., $24,628,600 (HTC711-10-D-R028); Columbia Helicopters Inc., Aurora, Ore., $97,795,019, (HTC711-11-D-R021 TO 0002 and 0003); and [...]
AAR wins third year extension for Afghanistan airlift support
Source: US DoD, 05-Nov-12
AAR (NYSE: AIR) announces the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised a renewal option for AAR Airlift to continue its airlift support in Afghanistan. The renewal is tied to one of several contracts AAR has with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide fixed and rotary wing airlift support in the region. The option [...]
Vertical de Aviacion awarded $214M for Afghanistan work
Source: US DoD, 05-Nov-12
Canadian Commercial Corp./Canadian Helicopters Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, $72,393,145 (HTC711-10-D-R025); AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., $161,544,147; (HTC711-10-D-R026 TO 0001 and 0002); Vertical de Aviacion Ltd., Bogota, Columbia, $214,259,924 (HTC711-10-D-R027 TO 0001 and TO 0002); Evergreen Helicopters Inc., McMinnville, Ore., $24,628,600 (HTC711-10-D-R028); Columbia Helicopters Inc., Aurora, Ore., $97,795,019, (HTC711-11-D-R021 TO 0002 and 0003); and [...]
Evergreen Helicopters awarded $24M for Afghanistan work
Source: US DoD, 05-Nov-12
Canadian Commercial Corp./Canadian Helicopters Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, $72,393,145 (HTC711-10-D-R025); AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., $161,544,147; (HTC711-10-D-R026 TO 0001 and 0002); Vertical de Aviacion Ltd., Bogota, Columbia, $214,259,924 (HTC711-10-D-R027 TO 0001 and TO 0002); Evergreen Helicopters Inc., McMinnville, Ore., $24,628,600 (HTC711-10-D-R028); Columbia Helicopters Inc., Aurora, Ore., $97,795,019, (HTC711-11-D-R021 TO 0002 and 0003); and [...]
Columbia Helicopters awarded $97M for Afghanistan work
Source: US DoD, 05-Nov-12
Canadian Commercial Corp./Canadian Helicopters Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, $72,393,145 (HTC711-10-D-R025); AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., $161,544,147; (HTC711-10-D-R026 TO 0001 and 0002); Vertical de Aviacion Ltd., Bogota, Columbia, $214,259,924 (HTC711-10-D-R027 TO 0001 and TO 0002); Evergreen Helicopters Inc., McMinnville, Ore., $24,628,600 (HTC711-10-D-R028); Columbia Helicopters Inc., Aurora, Ore., $97,795,019, (HTC711-11-D-R021 TO 0002 and 0003); and [...]
Construction Helicopters awarded $31M for Afghanistan work
Source: US DoD, 05-Nov-12
Canadian Commercial Corp./Canadian Helicopters Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, $72,393,145 (HTC711-10-D-R025); AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., $161,544,147; (HTC711-10-D-R026 TO 0001 and 0002); Vertical de Aviacion Ltd., Bogota, Columbia, $214,259,924 (HTC711-10-D-R027 TO 0001 and TO 0002); Evergreen Helicopters Inc., McMinnville, Ore., $24,628,600 (HTC711-10-D-R028); Columbia Helicopters Inc., Aurora, Ore., $97,795,019, (HTC711-11-D-R021 TO 0002 and 0003); and [...]
Cornische Aviation files protest over US procurement of Mi-17 overhauls
Source: Cornische Aviation and Maintenance, 24-Oct-12
Cornische Aviation and Maintenance Limited, Sharjah, UAE announced today they were filing a Government Accountability Office (GAO) protest against a sole source US Army Mi-17 helicopter overhaul contract. In late September 2012, the US Army Non Standard Rotor Wing Aviation Program Management Office issued a sole source award for the overhaul of four Mi-17 helicopters belonging to [...]
14-Oct-12 Mil Mi-8 Yakawolang, Afghanistan
14-Oct-12
Emergency landing after developing mechanical problems in flight. Some passengers with minor injuries
Canadian Helicopters completes name change to HNZ
Source: HNZ Group, 24-Sep-12
Canadian Helicopters Group Inc. (TSX: CHL.A, CHL.B), an international provider of helicopter transportation and related support services, announced today that, further to its news release dated May 14, 2012, the change of its name to HNZ Group Inc. (the “Company”), as approved by its shareholders at its annual meeting on May 11, 2012, will be [...]
Four Tigers delivered for deployment to Afghanistan
Source: Eurocopter, 13-Sep-12
A significant milestone in Eurocopter’s Tiger support helicopter program has been reached following the delivery of the first four helicopters to be upgraded for deployment to Afghanistan. This now leaves the German Army in possession of a complete batch of ASGARD helicopters – a vital prerequisite if the Tiger is to be deployed in theater [...]
Cassidian supports helicopter missions in Afghanistan
Source: Cassidian, 13-Sep-12
Cassidian supports the helicopter missions of the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan with a mobile version of its computer-based operations support system EUA (“Einsatzunterstützungsanlage”, English acronym: OSS). Eight mobile EUA systems have now been delivered to the German Army Aviation Corps as part of a contract awarded by the German Federal Office of Defence Technology [...]
NH90 makes first operational flight in Afghanistan
Source: Paola Casoli blog, 05-Sep-12
Ten days after arrival at Herat, an Italian NH90 has made the first operational flight of the helicopter type in Afghanistan. (see full story)
05-Sep-12 Bell OH-58D Puli Alam, Afghanistan (2F)
05-Sep-12
“An ISAF helicopter has crashed in eastern Afghanistan, resulting in two ISAF fatalities. We are investigating,” a spokesman for NATO’s U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force said. The two casualties were later named as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jose L. Montenegro Jr., 31, of Houston, Texas, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thalia S. Ramirez, 28, of [...]
30-Aug-12 Helmand province, Afghanistan (2F)
30-Aug-12
Two Australian special forces officers were killed when their helicopter crashed in Helmand Province. The pair were named in Australian press as Private Nathanael Galagher and Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald. Initial reporting indicates there was no insurgent action in the area at the time of the incident which could be related to the crash.
28-Aug-12 Boeing CH-47 Afghanistan
28-Aug-12
Attempting to land in the regional command-east section of Afghanistan when the “non-hostile incident” occurred.
16-Aug-12 Sikorsky UH-60 Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan (11F)
16-Aug-12
Helicopter crashed during a firefight with insurgents in a remote area of southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing seven Americans and four Afghans
PKL Services wins $16M USMC contract
Source: US DoD, 15-Aug-12
PKL Services, Inc.*, Poway, Calif., is being awarded a $16,079,221 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-09-C-0023) to exercise an option for organizational level maintenance on the following Marine Corps aircraft platforms: AH-1W, UH-1N, CH-53D/E, and CH-46E. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (48 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (25 percent); Iraq/Afghanistan (22 percent); [...]
USMC extend unmanned K-Max in-theatre deployment again
Source: Lockheed Martin, 01-Aug-12
For the second time this year, the U.S. Marine Corps has approved the deployment extension of K-MAX Cargo UAS, the first unmanned helicopter to deliver cargo and resupply troops in a combat zone. By supplying forward operating bases with K-MAX instead of ground convoy or manned aircraft, the Marine Corps has reduced the threat posed [...]
Marines find K-Max cargo unmanned aerial system ‘reliable’
Source: US Marine Corps, 31-Jul-12
It takes the right elements to create a life-saving capability for the combat zone, as discovered after the first cargo resupply unmanned aerial system, or CRUAS, deployment made aviation history. NAVAIR, the Marine Corps and industry partners found the right mix when they integrated a video game controller, rugged laptop and a KMAX K-2000 commercial, [...]
Sikorsky in engine talks with Motor Sich
Source: Helihub.com, 31-Jul-12
The Ukraine branch of Russian news agency Kommersant is reporting that Sikorsky are in talks with local engine manufacturer Motor Sich. A feasible possibility is discussions for re-engining S61 models with the VK-2500 engine that powers the Mi-17 – given the political storm now brewing in the US over the purchase of ten further Mi-17s [...]
US House of Representatives votes 407-5 to stop Mi-17 purchases
Source: Congressman Jim Moran, 20-Jul-12
The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed an amendment introduced by Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat and Senior Member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, to put an end to purchases from the Russian-controlled arms dealer Rosoboronexport which is currently supplying weapons to the oppressive Syrian regime. The amendment, attached to the FY’13 [...]
22-Jun-12 Boeing CH-47 Kandahar province, Afghanistan
22-Jun-12
Helicopter damaged, although extent of damage not stated. One occupant injured.
21-Jun-12 157135 Sikorsky CH-53D Sarabagh, Afghanistan
21-Jun-12
Forced landing, and caught fire. No fatalities
AAR selected to extend airlift support for US Military in Afghanistan
Source: AAR, 12-Jun-12
AAR announced today that the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised a renewal option for AAR to provide airlift support in Afghanistan through May 31 of 2013. The option has a value of $104 million and is part of a task order awarded to AAR in June 2010. The Company’s AAR Airlift operating unit will continue to support the requirement using [...]
06-Jun-12 Bell OH-58D Qarah Bagh, Afghanistan (2F)
06-Jun-12
Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported. The pair were later named as Capt. Scott P. Pace, 33, of Brawley, California and Lt. Mathew G. Fazzari, 25, of Walla Walla, Washington. This report states they took fire from insurgents
A first for K-Max – cargo hooked on while in unmanned flight
Source: US Marine Corps, 01-Jun-12
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, the “Night Owls,” made history earlier this week when they completed the first “hot hook-ups” between landing support Marines on the ground and a hovering Kaman K1200 “K-MAX” unmanned helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. In the nearly 20 years of its commercial and military use, no organization [...]
Approval for Multinational Aviation Training Centre in Czech Republic
Source: Czech Ministry of Defence, 01-Jun-12
The Chicago NATO Summit, held 20 and 21 May 2012, agreed the Czech project to create and lead the Multinational Aviation Training Centre for allied air forces within the Smart Defence initiative to share capabilities. The Czech Republic has been a lead country of the HIP Helicopter Task Force Initiative since 2009, and an administrator [...]
Two helicopter accidents in Afghanistan on Monday, one fatal
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-May-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
28-May-12 Boeing AH-64D Wardack Province, Afghanistan (2F)
28-May-12
NATO officials said two coalition members were killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan Monday. Initial reports said there was no enemy activity in the area. Two named as Capt. John R. Brainard, 26, of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; and Chief Warrant Officer 5 John C. Pratt, 51, of Springfield, Va., were assigned to the 12th [...]
28-May-12 Eastern Afghanistan
28-May-12
An ISAF helicopter crashed during routine operations in eastern Afghanistan today, no fatalities reported. NOTE – there was a second accident in the same region on the same day which was fatal – see here
NATO/ISAF comment on changes brought by unmanned K-Max operations
Source: ISAF, 21-May-12
Improvised explosive devices have changed the way the Marine Corps engages hostile forces. The need has risen for supplies to reach the most remote parts of Afghanistan quickly, reliably and safely. Late last year, the Corps began experimenting with the K-MAX – an unmanned helicopter, able to transport large amounts of cargo and reduce the [...]
Afghanistan – Two unmanned K-Max deliver 1,000,000 pounds of cargo in four months
Source: Lockheed Martin, 17-May-12
Two unmanned K-MAX helicopters have delivered more than one million pounds in less than four months in support of the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan and will remain in theater until September on a deployment extension. The aircraft, a joint effort by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Kaman Aerospace (NYSE: KAMN), is the first unmanned helicopter to deliver cargo [...]
Cobham to supply critical helicopter components for Afghan pilot training
Source: Cobham, 08-May-12
Cobham has announced that three of their business units will provide critical components for six MD530F training helicopters bound for Shindand Air Base in Afghanistan in 2012. Via their partner, EDMO Distributors, Cobham Aerospace Communications will supply four N301A audio controllers, Cobham Antenna Systems will provide VHF Communications, VOR/LOC/GS V-Dipole, DME, and Navigation Splitter Antennas, and Cobham [...]
Czech and Croatian crews prepare for Afghanistan together
Source: Czech MoD, 24-Apr-12
In the spirit of the slogan “If to fight together, we must train together”, twelve Czech and Croatian soldiers of helicopter crews train at the Mosnov Helicopter Training Point before their deployment in Afghanistan. The very first joint training started this week at the simulator, while practical training will be held in Croatia. Czech and [...]
2 Kirtland AFB helicopter pilots earn DFC for action in Afghanistan
Source: US Army, 22-Apr-12
Two Air Force helicopter pilots who braved enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers from battlefields in Afghanistan were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with valor on Friday. The medals were awarded to Capt. Marcus Maris, 37, of Raleigh, N.C., and Capt. Christopher Palmer, 31, of Cincinnati, at a Kirtland Air Force Base ceremony. Maris earned [...]
New Mi-17 simulator pushes Afghan pilots’ capabilities
Source: US Air Force, 21-Apr-12
Afghan pilots now have a state-of-the-art MI-17 simulator here to hone their aviation skills in a safe environment. Air Force Lt. Col. Chas Tacheny, the deputy commander of the 438 Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, said he has been involved with bringing the MI-17V5 No-Motion Level 5 Simulator to Afghanistan since July 2011 and he is [...]
19-Apr-12 Sikorsky UH-60 Helmand Province, Afghanistan (4F)
19-Apr-12
A Black Hawk helicopter crashed Thursday in southern Afghanistan, killing all four POB. Weather was apparently a factor. Fatalities named as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nicholas Johnson, 27, San Diego; Spc. Dean Shaffer, 23, Pekin, Ill.; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Don Viray, 25, Waipahu, Hawaii; and Spc. Chris Workman, 33, Boise, Idaho.
Helo pilot awarded Silver Star for Afghanistan rescue mission
Source: US Air Force, 12-Apr-12
With chaos erupting around him, rounds narrowly missing his aircraft, frantic crew members barking directions and a pair of wounded troops waiting for salvation in a sequestered landing zone below, then-Capt. Charles McMullen did what he was trained to do — adapt, lead and overcome. McMullen, a rescue pilot deployed to Afghanistan from the 41st [...]
12-Apr-12 eastern Afghanistan
12-Apr-12
An ISAF helicopter made a hard landing in eastern Afghanistan. ISAF is still in the process of assessing the circumstances to determine more facts; however, initial reporting indicates that there was no enemy activity in the area. All crew members have recovered with no reported fatalities and the site of the incident is secure.
06-Apr-12 MQ-8B northern Afghanistan
06-Apr-12
MQ-8B operating in northern Afghanistan crashed while conducting a routine surveillance mission in support of Regional Command North.
Australian Chinooks return to operations in Afghanistan
Source: Australian MoD, 29-Mar-12
The Australian Defence Force’s CH-47 “Chinook” helicopters have returned to duty in Southern Afghanistan, providing medium lift transport capability to Australian and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) units. The helicopters will be operated by the men and women of Rotary Wing Group 7 (RWG 7) who recently commenced their deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation [...]
Cassidian to support medical evacuation missions in Afghanistan
Source: Cassidian, 01-Mar-12
Cassidian, an EADS company, will support the Forward Air Medical Evacuation (FwdAirMedEvac) missions carried out with NH90 helicopters of the German Army in the evacuation of ill and injured persons in Afghanistan. For this purpose, the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) ordered a total of eight units of Cassidian’s mobile EUA [...]
Weather forecasters important to mission success
Source: US Air Force, 21-Feb-12
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFNS) — Mission ready. Not if the weather forecasters said it’s a no go. An often overlooked Air Force Specialty Code is the weather forecaster. Who hasn’t anguished over a weather forecast gone wrong or at an umbrella left in a stand because the forecaster predicted sunshine? “Mother Nature is unpredictable sometimes,” said [...]
11-Feb-12 EY-106 Mil Mi-8 Zabul Province, Afghanistan (4F)
11-Feb-12
Operated by Central Asian Aviation Services on behalf of logistics company Supreme Group. 4 fatalities were nationals of Tajikistan, including the son of the deputy defense minister, and helicopter was registered there.
06-Feb-12 Eastern Afghanistan
06-Feb-12
An International Security Assistance Force helicopter crew survived after their aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan. The crew members have been safely recovered and moved to a nearby base, officials said. The site has been secured and initial reports indicate there was no enemy activity in the area.
Turkish navaids for helicopter training at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan
Source: US DoD, 30-Jan-12
Kuanta Insaat Taahhut Elektronik Tur, San VE TIC.A.S., Ankara, Turkey, is being awarded a $7,444,761 firm-fixed-price contract to provide acquisitions of Air Traffic Control and Landing System and navigational aids in support of Afghanistan’s Air Force’s rotary and fixed wing flying training program at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. The location of the performance is Ankara, [...]
Afghanistan UH-1Y mechanic saves lives with maintenance discovery
Source: US Marine Corps, 24-Jan-12
A Marine Corps sergeant in Afghanistan who unearthed a never-before-seen maintenance issue in a UH-1Y Huey was recently awarded by the Marine Corps for his potentially lifesaving find. The sergeant was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in a ceremony at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Jan. 12. Sgt. Christopher Lemke, a mechanic with Marine [...]
US Army issues statement on Medevac issue
Source: US Army, 22-Jan-12
“Recent news items about the use of Army medical evacuation, or MEDEVAC, helicopters in Afghanistan contain troubling information. The reporting suggests that putting red crosses on MEDEVACs, and not arming them somehow, is putting injured Soldiers’ lives at risk. The facts do not support these assertions for several reasons. First, there is no evidence, implied [...]
19-Jan-12 Sikorsky CH-53D Helmand Province, Afghanistan (6F)
19-Jan-12
The ceceased were named as Capt. Daniel Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, WA; Capt. Nathan McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, IL; Master Sgt. Travis Riddick, 40, of Centerville, IA; Cpl. Jesse Stites, 23, of North Beach, MD; Cpl. Kevin Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, NJ; and Cpl. Joseph Logan, 22, of Willis, TX
Marine Osprey squadron flies last mission of Afghanistan deployment
Source: US Marine Corps, 18-Jan-12
A Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey squadron flew its final combat mission, Jan. 17, to complete its deployment to Afghanistan. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 has been deployed at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, for more than six months. The Marines will soon return to Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. The squadron’s final mission in Afghanistan [...]
AAR Airlift reports accident in Afghanistan
Source: AAR, 16-Jan-12
AAR Airlift, an operating unit of Chicago based AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) reports that a helicopter carrying a crew of three employees was involved in an accident in Helmand Province, Afghanistan at approximately 10:45 a.m., local time, January 16, while conducting operations for the U.S. Department of Defense. The Company has confirmed that there were [...]
29-Dec-11 Sar-e-Pul province, Afghanistan
29-Dec-11
The aircraft experienced mechanical problems and the crew made a precautionary landing in accordance with standard emergency procedures. The crew was recovered unharmed and the aircraft was recovered to a local Forward Operating Base without incident.
US Army to deploy A160T Hummingbird to Afghanistan
Source: US Army, 27-Dec-11
The U.S. Army is using a hybrid-type acquisition approach to develop a helicopter-like, Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing Unmanned Aerial System with a so-called ARGUS wide-area surveillance sensor suite designed to beam back information and images of the surrounding terrain, service officials said. Beginning in May or June of 2012, the Army will deploy three Boeing-built A160 Hummingbird Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing [...]
Unmanned K-Max makes first delivery for Marines in Afghanistan
Source: US Marine Corps, 23-Dec-11
Unmanned systems have revolutionized combat aviation, providing a colossal advantage in the fight against terror with surveillance and close-air support. Recently, a detachment of Marines from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 in Afghanistan added aerial resupply to the list of UAV capabilities. The detachment completed its first unmanned aerial system cargo delivery in a [...]
23-Dec-11 Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan
23-Dec-11
Helicopter took gunfire from Taliban. No injuries. More local news is suggesting it was shot down with all killed.
Afghanistan accepts six MD530Fs
Source: NATO, 21-Dec-11
Flight instructors at Shindand Air Base have completed acceptance flights on six MD 530F Helicopters that will be used to train Afghan pilots. Each helicopter was flown in the local air space for one hour and all aircraft systems were checked to include radios, GPS, navigation systems, rotor tracking and overall airworthiness. Classes are scheduled [...]
Maintenance advisers certify first Afghan Air Force expediter
Source: NATO, 08-Dec-11
Maintenance advisers recently certified the first Afghan Air Force flight line expediter at Kandahar Air Wing. A direct maintenance commander delegate on the flight line, an expediter is responsible for efficiently utilizing manning and resources to effectively execute the flight schedule agreed upon by both maintainers and operators. Advisers indicate the new capability will ensure [...]
