The Afghan Air Force now has its own fixed-wing close air support capability. The US Air Force on Jan. 15 delivered the first four of 20 A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Army Brig. Gen. Wilson Shoffner, Operation Resolute Support spokesman, said during a Tuesday briefing that the aircraft are expected to go into service in April. The US Air Force’s 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., is expected to train 30 Afghan A-29 pilots over the next three years, according to an Air Forces Central release. The first class of pilots and maintainers graduated in December. “This is a fighting aircraft which will destroy the centers of enemies in the country,” said Col. Bahadur, public affairs director of the Afghan Air Force, in a release. “This aircraft has the ability of transferring weapons like rockets and machine guns. This fighting aircraft will provide security and combat support.”
A new White House new executive order, “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” emphasizes space security as a high priority for President Donald Trump and underlines the Space Force’s role in not only defending U.S. assets, but also in the attack mission.
