Rocky Mountain High

The NATO airpower training mission in Afghanistan would like to conduct some of its Afghan Mi-17 helicopter instruction in Colorado Springs, Colo., Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Boera, who commands this organization, said Thursday. Doing so would allow new Afghan Mi-17 pilots the opportunity to train in high-altitude conditions similar to what they will encounter in northeast and eastern Afghanistan once they earn their wings, he told reporters during a teleconference from Kabul, Afghanistan. “That kind of training is invaluable,” he said. He added, “If we can get that done in Colorado Springs, that would be great.” Under the plan, Boera said two Mi-17s would be based in Colorado Springs for this purpose. The Army is reconstituting Afghan Mi-17 training at Ft. Rucker, Ala., site of where Afghan pilots receive basic rotary-wing training. Mi-17 training was formally held at Ft. Bliss, Tex. (See also Paradigm Buster above.)