The Kandahar Air Wing recently completed its first 200-hour maintenance phase inspection on an Mi-17/172 helicopter.

A three-person Afghan Training Team from Kabul and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisors taught KAW’s maintainers how to conduct the 200-hour phase inspection – what to do, what to look for and how to document their findings and corrective actions.

KAW maintainers performed major component replacements required due to expiring life cycles on both engines, the main gearbox, tail rotor blades, gearbox and tail rotor chain. The work was in addition to the 200-hour inspection and demonstrated a growing understanding of the need to consolidate maintenance actions to increase aircraft availability. The Kabul Training Team focused their efforts on ensuring the KAW quality assurance inspectors were aware of the follow-up inspection requirements, guaranteeing a safe and reliable aircraft is returned to the fight.

Previous to establishing this capability, they had to send their Mi-17s to Kabul, taking phase maintenance support capability away from the Kabul Air Wing. Gaining the 200-hour Inspection capability saves five flight hours and improves KAW’s aircraft availability by two days per inspection.

According to officials, this translates into additional combat capability not just for the Kandahar Air Wing, but for the Afghan Air Force’s entire Mi-17 fleet.

Kandahar Air Wing personnel and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisors complete their first 200-hour maintenance phase inspection on an Mi-17/572 helicopter. (Photo by U.S. Air Force).