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.”
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.