US delivers four new light attack copters to Afghanistan
The copters arrived at the Hamid Karzai International Airport via a C-17 Globemaster III from Travis Air Force Base, California, a Dvidshub report said.
"The four helicopters, scheduled to be the final four delivered to the Afghan air force, brings the AAF total number of MD-530s to 27," it added.
"Like the previous shipment of five MD-530s in July, 2016, these newest helicopters arrive with the capability to fire rockets or .50-caliber machine guns. They also have a new sighting system that wasn’t on the initial 13 helicopters, according to Lt. Col. Bill Ashford, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander," the report read.
"The first 13 helicopters continue to be modified to support 2.75-inch rocket capabilities and add the improved sighting systems," it quoted Ashford as saying.
"The MD-530s are flying multiple missions a day across Afghanistan. They are often engaged in providing aerial escort to convoys, providing over-watch to ANDSF operations and responding to ‘troops in contact’ situations,” the Lt.Col. added.
Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Holmes
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