Afghan AF sling load practice

An Afghan Air Force Mi-17 Helicopter with the Kandahar Air Wing sling loads equipment in support of training with the 4th Lightning Strike Pathfinder Academy, where Afghan instructors from Afghan National Army 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps partner with U.S. Army Pathfinders of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, at Forward Operating Base Wolverine, Afghanistan, Dec. 5, 2012. (Photo by Capt. Richard Barker, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs)

Afghan AF sling load training

An Afghan Mi-17 helicopter with the Kandahar Air Wing sling loads equipment in support of the 4th Lightning Strike Pathfinder Academy, where Afghan instructors from 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade 205th Corps, partner with Pathfinders of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, at Forward Operating Base Wolverine, Afghanistan, Dec. 5, 2012 to conduct training with Afghan aircraft. (Photo by Capt. Richard Barker, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs)

Wild Blue

Afghan Air Force student pilot Lt. Naihim Asadi flies his first solo flight in the MD530 helicopter, Oct. 16, 2012, at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. Asadi was one of three pilots to solo in the MD-530 that day; the pilots flew 50 hours with an instructor before their solo flights. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Quinton Russ/RELEASED)

Mi-17 disassembly

Ukrainians and Czechs work together to take apart the main rotor assembly of an Mi-17 Helicopter so it can be loaded onto an Illusion 76, Aug. 25, 2012 at Kabul Afghanistan, International Airport Afghanistan. The Mi-17's will be taken to the Ukraine for a return to service inspection and longer serviceability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Quinton Russ/RELEASED)

C-27As at Kabul

Two C-27A aircraft are parked on a ramp at the Kabul, Afghanistan, International Airport, in the early morning, June 19, 2012. The first independent, all-Afghan aircrew conducted pre-flight checks ahead of a one-hour proficiency training mission June 19, 2012. The Afghan trio, made up of an aircraft commander (pilot), co-pilot and loadmaster, was the first Afghan crew to fly the C-27A independently. (Afghan Air Force photo/Capt. Rahmi Khoda Rahimi)

First Afghan C-27A aircrew takes off

A C-27A flown by an all-Afghan aircrew takes off from the Kabul, Afghanistan, International Airport, for a one-hour proficiency training mission June 19, 2012. The Afghan trio, made up of an aircraft commander (pilot), co-pilot and loadmaster, was the first Afghan crew to fly the C-27A independently. (Afghan Air Force photo/Capt. Rahmi Khoda Rahimi)