2-Sep-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
Afghan Air Force helicopter pilots and crews in Kandahar began learning how to plan, handle and execute Mi-17 helicopter live weapons fire by firing more than 100 air-to-ground rockets. The ground and flight training was first given to NATO advisors in Kandahar by the Combined Air Power Transition Force serving shoulder-to-shoulder with the Afghan Air Force in Kabul. The basic air-to-ground missile skills and... Read more
2-Sep-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
The Mi-35 Hind E attack helicopter is the Afghan Air Force’s main gunship with Afghan aircrews trained by NATO forces from various countries including Hungary and the Czech Republic. The adage: crawl, walk, run often describes military training and the Afghan Mi-35 crews are in the walking phase, building confidence to take control of the... Read more
30-Aug-2010Source: UK MoD
Helicopters are crucial to the success of operations in Helmand, and, from medical evacuation and troop movement to resupply and ground attack, the men and women of the Joint Helicopter Force do it all. Report by Sharon Kean. There is no average day for Camp Bastion’s Joint Helicopter Force (JHF). It is responsible for around... Read more
30-Aug-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
The Afghan Air Force aircrew flew for the first time using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) within Afghanistan and completed the first operational tasking at the end of the flight on Aug. 22, 2010 Afghan Airmen went to an austere unlit landing zone, with a blacked-out Mi-17 transport helicopter. The Afghan crew performed basic maneuvers to... Read more
16-Aug-2010Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently delivered the TOPSCENE® Tactical Terrain Visualization System, a mission planning and rehearsal software package, to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) in support of operations in Afghanistan. U.K. helicopter forces based at RAF Odiham will use TOPSCENE® to perform mission rehearsal with greater realism than is possible with their... Read more
5-Aug-2010Source: Bloomberg
Sikorsky wants the Navy to suspend its request for bids and issue a new one that includes U.S. companies, according toa protest filed with the U.S. Government Accountability Office yesterday.... Read more
3-Aug-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
The Afghan Air Force performed its first Mi-17 Live Fire at the Kabul Military Training Center in Kabul on August 1, 2010. This was the first validation of the training syllabus from the Russian manuals for the Mi-17. Two helicopters performed live firing at the KMTC range, one Mi-17 and one Mi-35. Combined, the two... Read more
2-Aug-2010Source: Examiner
Article praises “solid progress reports” and then centres around only 70% availability in Afghanistan... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: British Army
His Royal Highness Prince Charles presented Afghan service medals this week to members of 1st Regiment Army Air Corps (1 Regt AAC) who have recently been operating Lynx helicopters over Helmand. The Prince of Wales, who is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, visited 1 Regt AAC at their base in Germany. The Prince... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: Eurocopter
The EC665 Tiger HAP (combat support) helicopter received its operational certification from NATO for the Afghan theater of operations in August 2009, just seven months after the final operational standard qualification was issued by government agencies in December 2008. The fleet of three EC665 Tiger HAPs, operated by the French Army’s 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment,... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: Royal Air Force
After several weeks providing support to troops on the ground in Helmand province, the Merlin helicopter crews from 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron’s B Flight, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, are coming home. B Flight arrived at Bastion Airfield in late May 2010. Following multiple detachments in Iraq over the past five years, this was... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: British Army
Army helicopter pilots, ground crew and technicians who have served in Afghanistan were presented with campaign medals by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales yesterday. 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 AAC), based at Wattisham Flying Station, Suffolk, was also awarded the Honorary Freedom of St Edmundsbury, at the presentation in Bury St Edmunds.... Read more
28-Jul-2010Source: UK MoD
Royal Navy Sea King helicopter pilots and their crews from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) have been training for their deployment to Afghanistan in the Californian desert. The pilots and aircrew from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons have been undergoing environmental qualification training at the Naval Air Facility El Centro, just north of the... Read more
27-Jul-2010Source: UK MoD
After nearly two months of being operational in Afghanistan, the world’s fastest helicopter, the Lynx Mark 9A, has proved to be a vital boost to the UK’s battlefield capability. The crews from the Army Air Corps that fly the aircraft say it has massively enhanced capability, as it is light and agile and perfect for... Read more
21-Jul-2010Source: Sify
Thales has announced that together with the Tiger helicopter gunship, its TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and display system (HMSD) has been deployed with the French forces in Afghanista... Read more
5-Jul-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
On July 1, 2010, the Afghan Air Force and Combined Air Power Transition Force advisors conducted an operational sling load with the Mi-17 transport helicopter from Kabul International Airport to Orgun-e in the Paktika province. Flying 12,500 feet above sea-level and carrying a 3,200 lbs. crate, the Mi-17 helicopter handled the load with very few... Read more
30-Jun-2010Source: US Marine Corps
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan — A CH-53E Super Stallion flew across the dawning sun here June 26 as it returned with an 18,000-pound piece of vital cargo slung beneath its belly. The sight of the aircraft against the painted morning sky was impressive on two accounts – the vision of the silhouetted helicopter floating in Afghanistan’s... Read more
22-Jun-2010Source: Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force helicopter crews have been training together for the first time in the Jordanian desert. As many prepare to go to Afghanistan for the first time, over 300 personnel from RAF Benson and RAF Odiham took part in Exercise Desert Vortex. Wing Commander John Watson was the Detachment Commander during the month long... Read more
22-Jun-2010Source: Washington Post
The U.S. government is snapping up Russian-made helicopters to form the core of Afghanistan’s fledgling air force, a strategy that is drawing flak from members of Congress who want to force the Afghans to fly American choppers instead.... Read more
21-Jun-2010Source: Winnipeg Free Press
anadian Helicopters Income Fund hopes to retain its lucrative presence in Afghanistan when the U.S. military withdraws its combat troops and the focus switches to rebuilding the war-torn country.... Read more
21-Jun-2010
Privates Tim Aplin, Ben Chuck and Scott Palmer from the Special Operations Task Group were killed and seven injured when a coalition helicopter crashed. A NATO soldier also lost his life in the incident which occurred at 3.39am Afghanistan time. Initial reports quoted location as “Northern Kandahar” and later reports as “Uruzgan Province”... Read more
9-Jun-2010Source: Royal Air Force
A Chinook pilot from RAF Odiham was presented with a Distinguished Flying Cross for his ‘superior flying skills’ in Afghanistan at a prestigious ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Friday 4 June 2010. Flight Lieutenant Marc Heal, aged 29, was amongst personnel from various stations across the UK to be honoured in the Armed Forces Operational... Read more
9-Jun-2010
4 fatalities in the accident, 5th died later as a result of injuries (report)... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced that the U.S. State Department has accepted the first two modernized S-61TM aircraft that will support missions for the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The U.S. State Department has entered into a... Read more
26-May-2010Source: UK MoD
Upgraded Army Lynx Mk9A helicopters have arrived for use in Afghanistan after being shipped from the UK, and are already being put to good use. The Lynx Mk9As, with their increased fire power, more powerful engines, and the ability to operate all year in the harsh ‘hot and high’ Afghan environment, have increased the total... Read more
17-May-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
The Afghan National Army Air Corps’s 377th Rotary Wing Squadron conducted their first combined operation mission on May 13th, 2010 using two Mi-17s for transport and two Mi-35s to provided air escort. Three mixed U.S. and Afghan crews and one all Afghan crew transported 70 Afghan National Army troops from Jalalabad to Forward Operating Base BOSTICK. The Mi-17s transported... Read more
17-May-2010Source: NATO Trade Mission
U.S. Air Force Major Caleb Nimmo is the first American Mi-35 HIND attack helicopter pilot to fly in combat. He is deployed to Afghanistan advising the Afghan National Army Air Corps’ rotary wing squadron as part of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, Combined Air Power Transition Force. The 377th Rotary Wing Squadron of the Kabul... Read more
6-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
77 Royal Navy Sea King crew members from 857 Naval Air Squadron have been presented with their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals by The Prince of Wales. Naval Officers and Ratings from the Squadron marched from Wellington Barracks past Buckingham Palace and up the Mall to receive the Operational Service Medal at a Royal medal presentation... Read more
5-May-2010
The U.S. military is pleased with the performance of the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan, but is still working hard to improve its readiness, the Pentagon’s program manager said on Tuesday.... Read more
10-Apr-2010Source: Vancouver Sun
The Antonov 225, the world’s largest aircraft, will transport the building, the Canadian Helicopters choppers, and a variety of smaller cargo to Kabul for the U.S. Armed Forces just as easily.... Read more
9-Apr-2010Source: Royal Air Force
The Kandahar Air Wing of the Afghanistan National Air Corps has come on leaps and bounds since its arrival in October 2009. Now there are 572 personnel established on the wing, including experienced pilots, trainee pilots, engineers, logistics and admin. Wednesday and Sundays are official training days when taskings are concentrated on developing the combat... Read more
23-Mar-2010
Reports differ on the casualties here. Some reports say 1 killed, but the NATO/ISAF report (the first link in our list) does not mention it – when they always would do if there was a loss of life.... Read more
22-Mar-2010Source: HeliHub.com
After two years operating in the UK, the two British Mi-17s have now been shipped to Afghanistan, where they have been donated to the local forces. Purchased from Bulgaria, and serialled ZB697 and ZB698, the two helicopters were shipped out Thursday last week aboard an An-124 freighter operated by Polet, and were still in their... Read more
22-Mar-2010Source: Dedalo
Two Agusta-Bell AB.212 helicopters of 21 ° Gruppo of the 9th Wing of the Air Force returned yesterday from Afghanistan to Italy in a USAF C-17... Read more
12-Mar-2010Source: Sky News
A British pilot got shot between the eyes as he flew his Chinook helicopter into a firefight in Afghanistan – but he still managed to land safely and rescue all 20 people on board.... Read more
11-Mar-2010Source: AOL News
U.S military was reportedly so desparate for helicopters in December that, even after scouring the marketplace for private companies to provide the needed aircraft, it could only find one firm able to offer the necessary cargo helicopters.... Read more
9-Mar-2010Source: Canadian Helicopters
MONTREAL, March 8 – Canadian Helicopters Income Fund (TSX: CHL.UN) (the “Fund”), the largest helicopter transportation services company operating in Canada, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded additional work in Afghanistan by the the United States Transportation Command (“USTRANSCOM”). This amendment to the support contract previously announced on December 22, 2008, entails... Read more
4-Mar-2010Source: Flightglobal
The UK Ministry of Defence has lifted the veil on a previously secretive helicopter training service being provided to future Afghan national security force pilots.... Read more
3-Mar-2010Source: Polish Ministry of Defence
Defense Minister Bogdan Klich has announced the completion of the tender to purhase an additional five helicopters Mi-17 designed to strengthen the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan. The tender winner was Metalexport company whose bid has been set at 313 million zÅ‚oty (around US$106M).  The tender was carried out the “same but cheaper” principle adopted... Read more
22-Feb-2010Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced today at Heli-Expo that the U.S. State Department has entered into an IDIQ (indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity) agreement to purchase up to 110 modernized S-61â„¢ aircraft for passenger and cargo transport missions in support of its worldwide operations. Delivery of the first four modernized S-61â„¢ aircraft will support missions for the U.S.... Read more
10-Feb-2010Source: Rotorhub
Nearly 20 helicopters from the UK’s Joint Helicopter Command have been involved in their first major exercise of 2010.... Read more
3-Feb-2010Source: BBC
The men represent the cream of the Afghan military but elsewhere America is struggling to create a disciplined and modern force.... Read more
3-Feb-2010Source: Royal Navy
For 2 years the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea Kings have been flying operations in Afghanistan, mainly from Kandahar Airfield, with elements also based at Camp Bastion. Most missions are over the volatile Helmand region, 80 miles to the West of Kandahar. Regional Command (South) readily call on ‘Jungly‘ aircraft because of their rapid response... Read more
16-Jan-2010Source: Flightglobal
The UK Royal Air Force has begun flying its first two of eight Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC3 transport helicopters, and says the type “will gradually join the routine rotation of aircraft through operational deployment in Afghanistan”... Read more
13-Jan-2010Source: CTV
430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron was honoured Monday for its contribution to Canada’s efforts in Afghanistan.... Read more
11-Jan-2010Source: Safran Group
Since August 10, 2009, the three Tiger combat helicopters deployed by France in Kabul have been playing an active operational role in Afghanistan. After arriving in Afghanistan in July 2009, the three helicopters from the 5th Combat Helicopters Regiment, Pau, first of all underwent firing certification tests. These tests were successfully completed, and the Tigers... Read more
6-Jan-2010Source: Rotorhub
Spanish medical evacuation helicopters have marked a milestone 3,000 flying hours in Afghanistan.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: Rotorhub
The government of the Czech Republic has announced it is deploying helicopters to Afghanistan for the first time.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: QinetiQ
QinetiQ has successfully completed the integration of a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite communications system into each of the RAF’s fleet of 22 Mk3 Merlin’s in preparation for their possible deployment to Afghanistan.... Read more
17-Dec-2009Source: RAF
The Ministry of Defence will give a major boost to the military helicopter fleet with 22 new Chinook helicopters, the Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced today.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: Marine Corps Times
During the past year, the U.S. military reduced to 42 minutes from 100 minutes the average time it takes for a badly wounded service member in Afghanistan to reach a hospital, even as the casualty rate tripled, according to military commanders.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: UK MoD
The Sea King crews from 854 Naval Air Squadron were recently presented with their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals by Head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.... Read more
9-Dec-2009Source: The Times
US military is doubling the number of helicopters in southern Afghanistan, flying to the rescue of British troops who have complained that shortages in air support have left them vulnerable to Taliban roadside bombs.... Read more
9-Dec-2009Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Avionics System and the company’s integration support were key elements in preparing the UH-1Y Venom helicopters for deployment to Afghanistan recently with the U.S. Marine Corps Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367.... Read more
8-Dec-2009Source: Start Telegram
The Marines are hoping to resuscitate the image of the MV-22 Osprey in Afghanistan, where the aircraft made its debut into major combat last Friday.... Read more
3-Dec-2009Source: RAF
Having arrived in Afghanistan two weeks ago, the initial RAF Merlin Force has now passed the extensive pre-flight checks enabling them to take to the Afghan skies one month ahead of schedule.... Read more
1-Dec-2009Source: Telegraph
t is hoped to build up the Chinook fleet from the current 38 to about 70 allowing the possibility of almost doubling the numbers of aircraft currently in Afghanistan to 20.... Read more
20-Nov-2009Source: Chosun
This would be the first time a Korean military helicopter unit has been sent overseas since the Vietnam War.... Read more
