The Afghan Air Force Kandahar Air Wing (KAW) recently completed its first 100-hour maintenance phase inspection on a Mi-17 transport helicopter.

A nine-person Afghan Tiger Team from Kabul, plus NATO advisors taught KAW’s maintainers how to conduct the 100-hour phase inspection: what to do, what to look for and how to document their findings and corrective actions.

During the inspection, KAW maintainers found that sheet metal repairs were needed for one of the antennae and that the tail rotor assembly needed to be replaced. In addition to the significant training conducted in all facets of Mi-17 maintenance, the hands-on experience repairing these items taught the KAW maintainers much more about their aircraft.

After the work was completed, the Tiger Team and the NATO advisors certified KAW’s maintenance team capable of conducting this inspection, making KAW just the second Afghan Air Force base to earn that honor. Up unto this point, KAW has had to send their Mi-17s to Kabul. Gaining the 100-hour Inspection capability saves five flight hours and improves KAW’s aircraft availability by two days per inspection.

This translates into about a one percent efficiency improvement for the Afghan Air Force’ overall Mi-17 flying hour program and a twenty eight percent reduction in 100-hour inspection down-time for the Kandahar Air Wing. This, combined with what the maintainers learned, will pay huge dividends as KAW supports the fight for freedom and help provide for the collective safety and security of all Afghans.