Practice makes perfect: Mi-17 training

Three Afghan Air Force Mi-35 helicopters fly in formation as part of a training mission near Kabul, Afghanistan. The mission included both AAF members from the Kabul Air Wing and their NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisors. (courtesy photo)

Practice makes perfect: Mi-17 training

United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeremy Burnite, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron special mission aviator, fires a M240 machine gun from an Afghan Air Force Mi-17 helicopter as part of a training mission with AAF members if the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron near Kabul, Afghanistan. Burnite is a member of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan and is tasked with training and advising members of the AAF at Kabul International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

Practice makes perfect: Mi-17 training

United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael DiNicola looks on from a Mi-17 helicopter as a three ship Mi-35 helicopter formation prepares to take-off followed by a two ship Mi-17 formation at the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. The five helicopters were part of a training mission between members of the Afghan Air Force and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

Practice makes perfect: Mi-17 training

Afghan Air Force Sgt. Mohammad Zamiry, 377th Rotary Wing Squadron gunner, and Staff Sgt. Michael DiNicola, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron special mission aviator, check a Mi-17 helicopter as the pilots start it up in preparation for take-off from the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. DiNicola is one of the advisors with NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan that trains and advises Zamiry and other members of the AAF. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

Practice makes perfect: Mi-17 training

United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Hanlon, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron special mission aviator, works with Afghan Air Force Sgt. Mohammad Nawab as he prepares weapons for a Mi-17 helicopter flight. Nawab is a crew chief with the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron at the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan and is trained and advised by members of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

Warrior of the Week, Master Sgt. Richard Blackstone, 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Sqaudron.

Warrior of the Week, Master Sgt. Richard Blackstone, 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Sqaudron.

Elite AAF soldiers complete training

United States Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Blackstone, NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan security forces advisor, congratulates a Quick Reaction Force graduate at a ceremony May 29, 2013 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Fourteen Afghan Air Force members of the Kabul Air Wing QRF Company graduated from a 50-hour Ground Combat Skills Course. The graduation marked the completion of advanced upgrade training for the newest members of the QRF Company. The team trained on numerous types of procedures including mounted and dismounted operations, military operations in urban terrain, close quarters battle, building clearing, entry control point operations, combat lifesaver and advanced M-16 utilization. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chris McAleer)

Elite AAF soldiers complete training

United States Air Force Capt. Michael Morriss, NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan security forces advisor, addresses the graduates of a 50-hour Quick Reaction Force course in a ceremony at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan May 29, 2013. Fourteen Afghan Air Force members of the Kabul Air Wing Quick Reaction Force Company graduated from Ground Combat Skills Course. The graduation marked the completion of advanced upgrade training for the newest members of the QRF Company. The team trained on numerous types of procedures including mounted and dismounted operations, military operations in urban terrain, close quarters battle, building clearing, entry control point operations, combat lifesaver and advanced M-16 utilization. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chris McAleer)

Ground target destruction: AAF gains new airpower capability

An Afghan Air Force Mi-35 helicopter fires 57mm S-5 rockets during a live fire exercise May 15, 2013 south of Kabul. In addition to S-5 rocket pods the Mi-35s from the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron were also equipped with newly mounted twin-barreled Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 guns. This live fire exercise marked the first time in history that the AAF has had all three weapons systems installed on the Mi-35 helicopters. The systems include the GSh-23, the Yak-B 12.7mm machine gun and the S-5 57mm rocket pod. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Ground target destruction: AAF gains new airpower capability

An Afghan Air Force Mi-35 helicopter fires 23mm rounds from newly mounted twin-barreled Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 guns for the first time May 15, 2013 south of Kabul, Afghanistan. This live fire exercise marked the first time in history that the AAF has had all three weapons systems installed on the Mi-35 helicopters. The systems include the GSh-23, the Yak-B 12.7mm machine gun and the S-5 57mm rocket pod. During the training mission the AAF pilots fired a total of 725 rounds between the two aircraft. The GSh-23 can destroy a target from the air and will provide vital air-to-ground support for the Afghan National Security Forces. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

CASEVAC capability spreads through AAF

Afghan Air Force medics load an Afghan National Army gunshot wound patient onto a Cessna 208 as part of a casualty evacuation mission from Kandahar Airfield to Kabul, Afghanistan May 20, 2013. AAF-wide, CASEVAC missions have increased 34 percent between December 2012 and April 2013. Thus far in May 2013 alone, AAF medics and aircrew have conducted 33 CASEVAC missions and moved 76 patients from battlefields, forward operating bases and clinics to more sophisticated medical hospitals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)

CASEVAC capability spreads through AAF

Afghan Air Force doctors and medics prepare to move two Afghan National Army patients with gunshot wounds as part of a casualty evacuation May 20, 2013. AAF-wide, CASEVAC missions have increased 34 percent between December 2012 and April 2013. Thus far in May 2013 alone, AAF medics and aircrew have conducted 33 CASEVAC missions and moved 76 patients from battlefields, forward operating bases and clinics to more sophisticated medical hospitals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Anastasia Wasem)