Afghan Air Force

File:Afghan Avro 504K.jpg was one of the first aircraft to be used by the Afghan Air Force.{{cite web|url=http://www.artiklar.z-bok.se/Afghanistan-1.html |title=The First 30 Years of Aviation in Afghanistan|publisher=artiklar.z-bok.se|date=|access-date=12 May 2021}}]]

In July 1921, the RSFSR promised to deliver aircraft free of charge to the Afghan government. In 1924 and 1925 the new air force first saw action when it fought against the Khost rebellion.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kzjj_LSlxO8C|title=The A to Z of Afghan Wars, Revolutions and Insurgencies|last=Adamec|first=Ludwig W.|date=7 April 2010|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9781461731894|pages=51|language=en}} From 1921, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom provided a small number of aircraft to King Amanullah Khan; who had been impressed with British India's use of aircraft against the Emirate of Afghanistan's forces in 1919, during the Third Anglo-Afghan War. However, the aircraft he was given were not made into a separate air arm until 1924. For the next decade, Soviet pilots performed the bulk of the flying and equipping for the AAF, probably about one-half of the aircraft were Polikarpov R-1s, a Soviet copy of the de Havilland DH.9A. Most AAF aircraft were destroyed in the civil war that began in December 1928, and it was not before 1937 that a serious rebuilding effort began. From the late 1930s until World War II, British Hawker Hind and Italian IMAM Ro.37 aircraft constituted the bulk of the Afghan Air Force, which by 1938 amounted to about 30 planes in service.R. Schnitzler, G.W. Feuchter, R. Schulz (Eds.): Handbuch der Luftfahrt (Manual of Aviation). Jahrgang 1939. p. 11. J.F. Lehmanns Verlag, München & Berlin The Hawker Hind remained in the Afghan inventory until 1957, and as of 2009 one former Afghan Air Force Hawker Hind still flew in the Shuttleworth Collection. In 1947, the Air Force was redesignated the Royal Afghan Air Force (RAAF), a title it retained until further political upheaval in 1973.{{cite web |author=Andersson |first=Lennart |title=The First Thirty Years of Aviation in Afghanistan, part 1 |url=http://www.z-bok.se/Afghanistan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20091024223921/http://www.z-bok.se/Afghanistan.html |archive-date=24 October 2009 |website=z-bok.se}}{{cite web |author=Cooper |first=Tom |date=29 October 2003 |title=Afghanistan, 1979–2001; Part 1 |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_337.shtml |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716210210/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_337.shtml |archive-date=16 July 2012 |publisher=Air Combat Information Group}}

File:Afghan Air Force 1960 Emblem.png

By 1960, the Royal Afghan Air Force consisted of approximately 100 combat aircraft including MiG-15 fighters, Il-28 light bombers, transports, and a few helicopters.Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Afghan Wars, Revolutions, and Insurgencies (Scarecrow Press: Lanham, Md., Toronto, 2005, 2d ed.), pg. 52 Also by that time, a small number of Afghan pilots were undergoing undergraduate pilot training in the United States, while others attended training in the Soviet Union, India, and several European countries. In 1973 King Zahir Shah was deposed and Mohammed Daoud Khan became the country's president. During his five years in power, until the Saur Revolution of 1978, Daoud gained Soviet assistance to upgrade the capabilities and increase the size of the Afghan Air Force, introducing newer models of Soviet MiG-21 fighters and An-24 and An-26 transports. In 1979 the Air Force lost four Mi-8s.Poteri1979 Потери ВВС в Афганистане. Потери 1979 года. Авиация в локальных конфликтах. Дата обращения 23 февраля 2015. Improvements in the early-to-mid-1970s notwithstanding, the Air Force remained relatively small until after the 1979–80 Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. While the Afghan Air Force was equipped with a large inventory – probably some 400 aircraft in the mid-1980s – many of them were manned and maintained by advisors from Czechoslovakia and Cuba. In many cases, the Soviets were reluctant to entrust Afghan pilots with either the latest aircraft models or high priority missions and, indeed, a number of Afghan pilots were equally reluctant to conduct air strikes against their countrymen.{{cite web |author=Stalder |first=Keith J. |author-link=Keith J. Stalder |date=25 January 1985 |title=The Air War in Afghanistan |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1985/SKJ.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315054416/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1985/SKJ.htm |archive-date=15 March 2017 |access-date=24 March 2015}} The Afghan Air Force was at its strongest in the 1980s and early 1990s, producing some concern on the part of neighboring countries. The Air Force had at least 7,000 personnel plus 5,000 foreign advisors. At its peak, the Air Force had at least 240 fixed-wing fighters, fighter-bombers and light bombers. Midway through the Soviet–Afghan War, one estimate listed the following inventory:

• 90 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17sFlight Magazine 1990 or The Encyclopaedia of World Air Forces
• 45 MiG-21s – in 1990, three squadrons were reported at Bagram AirfieldFlight Magazine or The Encyclopaedia of World Air Forces
• 60 Su-7s and Su-17s – Warplane, a British partwork, reported in its issue 21, published in 1985, that some 48 Su-7BMs, without Su-7UM two-seaters, had been supplied from 1970, forming the equipment of two fighter/ground attack squadrons at Shindand Airbase.Orbis Publishing Ltd, 'Sukhoi Su-7 'Fitter' – Soviet Sledgehammer, 'Warplane, Vol. 2, Issue 21, p.413. More accurate information will be found in Gordon, Yefim (2004). Sukhoi Su-7/-17/-20-22: Soviet Fighter and Fighter-Bomber Family. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-108-3.
• 45 Il-28s
• 150 Mil Mi-8s and Mil Mi-24s

Additionally, the Afghan Air Force probably operated some 40 or more transports, including the Antonov An-26, Antonov An-24, and Antonov An-2. Another estimate in 1988 painted a more detailed picture of the Afghan Air Force:{{cite book |title=War in Afghanistan|last=Urban |first=Mark |year=1988 |publisher=Macmillan Press |location=Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire |isbn=978-0-333-43263-1 |pages=225–226}}

• 322nd Air Regiment, Bagram Air Base, three fighter squadrons with 40 MiG-21s
• 321st Air Regiment, Bagram Air Base, three fighter/bomber squadrons with Su-7/Su-22
• 393rd Air Regiment, Dehdadi Air Base (Balkh), three fighter/bomber squadrons with MiG-17s
• 355th Air Regiment, Shindand Airbase, 3 bomber squadrons with Il-28s and one fighter/bomber squadron with MiG-17s
• 232nd Air Regiment, Kabul Airport, three helicopter squadrons with Mi-4, Mi-6, and Mi-8 with one squadron of Mi-8s detached to Shindand
• 377th Air Regiment, Kabul Airport, four helicopter squadrons with Mi-25s and Mi-17s
• ? Air Regiment, Kabul Airport, two transport squadrons with An-2, An-26/30, and one VIP transport squadron with one Il-18 and 12 An-14s
• two attack helicopter squadrons with Mi-24s at Jallalabad and Kabul
• Air Force Academy, Kabul, with Yak-18s and L-39s
• Air Defence Forces consisting of two SAM regiments at Kabul, an AAA Battalion at Kandahar, and a radar regiment at Kabul

The Mil Mi-24 and Mi-35 (export model) attack helicopters have a long history in Afghanistan. The aircraft was operated extensively during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, mainly for attacking mujahideen fighters. Early in the war, the only anti-air weapons of the mujahideen were Soviet made shoulder-launched, heat-seeking SAMs and American Redeye, which had either been captured from the Soviets or their Afghan allies or were supplied from Western sources. Many of them came from stocks the Israelis had captured during their wars with Soviet client states in the Middle East. Owing to a combination of the limited capabilities of these early types of missiles, poor training and poor material condition of the missiles, they were not particularly effective.Yakubovich, Nikolay. Boevye vertolety Rossii. Ot "Omegi" do "Alligatora" (Russia's combat helicopters. From Omega to Alligator). Moscow, Yuza & Eksmo, 2010, {{ISBN|978-5-699-41797-1}}, pp.164–173.

Beginning in 1986, the US supplied the mujahideen with its state-of-the-art heat-seeking missile, the FIM-92 Stinger, which the Afghans employed with devastating effect. In the first use of the Stinger in Afghanistan, mujahideen fighters downed three of eight unsuspecting Soviet Mi-24 Hinds as they approached the airfield at Jalalabad on a late September afternoon. Some scholars point to that event in 1986 as the turning point in the war. Moreover, for most of the remainder of the war when Stingers were known to be present, Soviet and Afghan aircraft elected to remain at higher altitudes where they were less vulnerable to the missile, but also less effective in ground attacks. Although employed extensively throughout the war as a ground attack platform, the Hind suffered from a weak tail boom and was found to be underpowered for some missions it was called upon to perform in the mountains of Afghanistan, where high density altitude is especially problematic for rotary-wing aircraft.{{sfn|Yousaf|Adkin|1992|p=174–80}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1985/SKJ.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315054416/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1985/SKJ.htm|url-status=dead|title=The Air War In Afghanistan|archive-date=15 March 2017|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}

Overall, the Hind proved effective and very reliable, earning the respect of both Soviet and Afghan pilots as well as ordinary Afghans throughout the country. The mujahideen nicknamed the Mi-24 the "Devil's Chariot" due to its notorious reputation.{{sfn|Yousaf|Adkin|1992|p=174–80}}

After the Soviet withdrawal and the departure of foreign advisors, the Air Force declined in terms of operational capability. With the collapse of the Najibullah Government in 1992, the Air Force splintered, breaking up amongst the different mujahideen factions in the ongoing civil war. By the end of the 1990s, the Taliban maintained five supersonic MiG-21MF and 10 Sukhoi Su-22 fighter-bombers.York, Geoffrey. The Globe and Mail, "Military Targets Are Elusive. Afghanistan Army Called a Haphazard Operation", 19 September 2001. They also held six Mil Mi-8 helicopters, five Mi-35s, five L-39Cs, six An-12s, 25 An-26s, a dozen An-24/32s, an IL-18, and a Yakovlev.Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment, 2001

The Afghan Northern Alliance/United Front operated a small number of helicopters and transports and a few other aircraft for which it depended on assistance from neighboring Tajikistan.

While the land forces, the army, changed fundamentally under the Taliban from 1996 to 2001, the air force was an exception in that the old structures and chain of command were maintained.{{sfn|Giustozzi|2016|p=118}} With its founding in 1994 the Taliban invited former Communist Pilots to join their ranks which many Khalqists and Pashtun Parchamites willingly accepted due to ethnic solidarity or a despise for the Mujahedeen warlords who had not brought peace to the nation.{{Cite book |last=Müller |first=Lukas |title=Wings over the Hindu Kush: Air Forces, Aircraft and Air Warfare of Afghanistan, 1989-2001 |publisher=Helion and Company |year=2020 |isbn=978-1913118662 |pages=32}}

With the breakdown of logistical systems, the cannibalization of surviving airframes was widespread. The US air campaign in the fall of 2001 destroyed most of the remaining Afghan aircraft.

After the end of the Soviet war in 1989 and collapse of Najibullah's government, the Taliban took over Kabul in 1996. Afghanistan faced substantial economic sanctions from the international sector during the Taliban regime. The sanctions, along with the Taliban government's control of Ariana Afghan Airlines and the grounding of many of the carrier's international flights, had a devastating effect on the economic health of the company through the 1990s. The fleet was reduced to only a handful of Russian and Ukrainian built An-26s, Yak-40s and three Boeing 727s, which were used on the longest domestic routes and military transport roles. With no overseas assets, by 1999 Ariana's international operations consisted of flights to Dubai only; also, limited cargo flights continued into China's western provinces. However, sanctions imposed by UN Security Council Resolution 1267 forced the airline to suspend overseas operations. In {{start date|2001|11}}, Ariana was grounded completely.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

{{blockquote|With the Taliban's blessing, Bin Laden effectively had hijacked Ariana, the national civilian airline of Afghanistan. For four years, according to former U.S. aides and exiled Afghan officials, Ariana's passenger and charter flights ferried Islamic militants, arms, cash and opium through the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. Members of Bin Laden's Al Qaeda terrorist network were provided false Ariana identification that gave them free run of airports in the Middle East.}}

According to people interviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Viktor Bout's companies helped in running the airline.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2002-05-19 |title=On the Trail of a Man Behind Taliban's Air Fleet |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-19-ad-bout-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811010412/http://articles.latimes.com/print/2002/may/19/news/ad-bout |archive-date=11 August 2014 |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

File:AAF firefighting students in 2011.jpg

It was 2005 before a US-led, international effort began to rebuild the Afghan Air Force.Debay, "Wings over Panjshir" Marion writes:{{sfn|Marion|2010|p=27}}

In 2005, the Americans took the first tentative steps to reestablishing an Afghan presidential airlift capability in keeping with a directive from U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In May 2005, Afghan officials named Major General Dawran the commander of the new Afghan Air Corps. Later that year, a small team led by Colonel John Hansen, U.S. Army, began working with Afghan airmen at Kabul International Airport. By mid-2006, Colonel Hansen had developed a plan for the Air Corps that became the basis for the Combined Air Power Transition Force (CAPTF) that began work the following year.

For the first time in over two decades Afghanistan began training new pilots. In January 2008, President Hamid Karzai said that his country's Air Force had been reborn after inaugurating its new headquarters at Kabul International Airport freshly equipped with new aircraft. It had received 26 new and refurbished aircraft, including Czech-donated Mi-35 Hind helicopter gunships. With United States funding, the Afghan government had also acquired transport helicopters and a number of Ukrainian military aircraft.{{Cite news |last=Haviland |first=Charles |date=18 January 2008 |title=Afghanistan air force is 'reborn' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7195508.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105074415/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7195508.stm |archive-date=5 November 2011 |via=news.bbc.co.uk}}

The North Kabul International Airport cantonment area included the new headquarters for the Afghan Air Force and 201st Kabul Air Wing. The wing's three operational squadrons, one fixed-wing, one rotary-wing, and the Presidential Airlift Squadron, were housed there.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} The cantonment area includes state-of-the-art hangars as well as operations, logistics, billeting, dining, and recreational facilities. Extensive AAF facilities were also constructed at Kandahar International Airport.

A number of Afghan pilots and pilot-candidates travelled to the United States beginning in May 2009 for English language training, to be followed by instrument training for the pilots and undergraduate pilot training for the pilot-candidates.{{sfn|Marion|2010|p=28-29}} This was the start of an initiative that, within the following years, was to produce a small cadre of seasoned, instrument-rated Afghan Air Force pilots as well as a larger number of younger, well-trained pilots to serve as the backbone of the Afghan Air Force for the next generation. Other NATC-A-led programs include English language and technical courses for AAF personnel in various specialties including aircraft maintenance, logistics, communications, and engineering. As of June 2009, the Air Force numbered about 2,400 airmen, with a planned strength of 7,400 airmen within several years.Department of Defense, [http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4126 Brief with Commander, CAPTF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201094606/http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4126 |date=1 December 2009 }}, 24 January 2008; Reuters: [https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSISL1047520070712?feedType=RSS U.S. to donate 186 aircraft to Afghanistan by 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008181931/http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSISL1047520070712?feedType=RSS |date=8 October 2008 }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/afghan_national_army.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=31 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wQIhm23B?url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/02/afghan_national_army.php |archive-date=11 February 2011 }}

In late 2009, the AAF began receiving refurbished former Italian Air Force Aeritalia G.222 tactical transports, named C-27 in U.S. service, and Mi-17V5 Hip transport helicopters.{{cite web |last=Tritten |first=Travis J. |date=October 10, 2014 |title=US-funded Afghan C-27s scrapped for 6 cents per pound |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us-funded-afghan-c-27s-scrapped-for-6-cents-per-pound-1.307578#.WTmlCmjyvIU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229070935/http://www.stripes.com/news/us-funded-afghan-c-27s-scrapped-for-6-cents-per-pound-1.307578#.WTmlCmjyvIU |archive-date=29 December 2016 |access-date=8 June 2017 |website=Stars and Stripes}} In June 2010, the Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) was renamed the Afghan Air Force (AAF) by order of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.{{cite press release|last=Leese |first=Capt. Robert |title=Afghan National Army Air Corps now Afghan National Army Air Force |url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/220260/afghan-national-army-air-corps-now-afghan-national-army-air-force/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831135957/https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/220260/afghan-national-army-air-corps-now-afghan-national-army-air-force/ |date=14 June 2010 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |publisher=US Air Force}}{{sfn|United States. Department of Defense|2010|p=31}} Also in the same year, a number of female trainers completed their courses and were commissioned as lieutenants. More were being trained as the numbers of air force personnel increased.

File:120128-F-FR276-019_(6890706741).jpg

As of March 2011, the Afghan Air Force (AAF) had 44 rotary-wing and 13 fixed-wing aircraft in serviceable condition. By the end of 2011, the AAF had 16 C-27As (on loan from the U.S. government) and 35 of the new Mi-8 Hips while continuing to operate the older Mi-17s and retiring the An-32 fleet. Further growth of the AAF depended on decisions regarding the size of the Afghan National Army which, in turn, determined AAF requirements. In a country of rugged terrain possessing limited ground transportation options, the Afghan Armed Forces depends heavily upon AAF fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft for airlift of soldiers and supplies between corps operating locations, medical and casualty evacuation, and transport of human remains. The Afghan government also relied on the AAF for transportation of election materials during the 2009 presidential election. It was announced in October 2011 that the Afghan Air Force would be provided with 145 multi-type aircraft and 21 helicopters.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=69627 |title=The Frontier Post |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421183507/http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=69627 |archive-date=21 April 2012 |url-status=live }} By the end of 2011, the Afghan Air Force had a total of 4,900 airmen and personnel.

By 2016 the Afghan Air Force was planned to expand to 8,000 airmen and 145 operational aircraft.{{cite news |last=Lekic |first=Slobodan |date=18 January 2012 |title=Afghan air force learns to fly – and fix aircraft |publisher=Boston.com |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2012/01/18/afghan_air_force_learns_to_fly____and_fix_aircraft/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708074233/http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-18/news/30639899_1_mi-17-helicopters-afghan-air-force |archive-date=8 July 2012}} To that end there was continuing expansion in infrastructure, training and maintenance facilities. The US also purchased modern equipment and aircraft including Russian Mi-17 helicopters. Significant investment went into purchasing modern training aircraft such as MD 500 helicopters and fixed-wing Cessna 182 and 208 planes.

In 2016–17, the United States Department of Defense (DOD) aimed to procure 30 additional armed MD-530F helicopters and 6 additional A-29 attack aircraft to replace the Mil Mi-35 in service with the AAF. DOD asked for funds to add an additional five AC-208s to the fleet. The requested FY2017 Afghan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) budget, including the 23 additional funds for the first year of the planned procurement, went to Congress on 10 November 2016.

As part of the 2021 Taliban offensive, Taliban fighters targeted Afghan Air Force pilots.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-pilots-assassinated-by-taliban-us-withdraws-2021-07-09/|title=Special Report: Afghan pilots assassinated by Taliban as U.S. Withdraws|newspaper=Reuters|date=9 July 2021|last1=Stewart|first1=Phil|last2=Ali|first2=Idrees|last3=Shalizi|first3=Hamid}} Many pilots escaped to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, bringing a number the AAF aircraft with them.{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Andrew E. |date=2021-08-16 |title=Afghan Military Pilots Fled, Keeping Aircraft, and Themselves, From the Taliban |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/afghan-military-pilots-fled-keeping-aircraft-and-themselves-from-the-taliban/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817171751/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/afghan-military-pilots-fled-keeping-aircraft-and-themselves-from-the-taliban/ |archive-date=17 August 2021 |access-date=2021-11-12 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} Satellite pictures analysis of 16 August indicated that the Termez Airport held multiple AAF aircraft: including various Mi-17, Mi-25 and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, as well some A-29s and C-208s airplanes.{{Cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Vikas |last2=Nazmi |first2=Shadab |date=2021-08-28 |title=Afghanistan: Black Hawks and Humvees - military kit now with the Taliban |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58356045 |access-date=2021-11-25}} An Afghan A-29 Super Tucano crashed in Uzbekistan's Surxondaryo Region. Two pilots ejected and landed with parachutes.{{cite news|date=16 August 2021|title=Границу с Узбекистаном пересекли 22 военных самолёта и 24 вертолёта Афганистана|publisher=Gazete Uzbekistan|url=https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2021/08/16/borders-uzbekistan|access-date=16 August 2021}} Initially it was reported shot down by Uzbekistan air defenses, then the Prosecutor General's office in Uzbekistan issued a statement saying that an Afghan military plane had collided mid-air with an Uzbekistan Air Force MiG-29, finally it also retracted the statement about the mid-air collision.{{cite web|last=Litvinova|first=Dalia|title=Afghan military plane crashes in Uzbekistan; cause disputed|url=https://apnews.com/article/europe-uzbekistan-8b12777429e935bb56c473af564e337e|work=apnews|date=16 August 2021}} Afghan pilots which escaped to Tajikistan were held in a sanitorium until they were freed in November 2021.{{Cite web |last=Putz |first=Catherine |date=November 10, 2021 |title=Afghan Pilots Held in Tajikistan Finally Out |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/11/afghan-pilots-held-in-tajikistan-finally-out/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111185448/https://thediplomat.com/2021/11/afghan-pilots-held-in-tajikistan-finally-out/ |archive-date=11 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-12 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}

During the final Taliban offensive, the Taliban also deployed a secretive drone unit to attack high value targets such as government officials.{{Cite web |last=Qazizai |first=Fazelminallah |date=15 September 2021 |title=The Drone Unit that Helped the Taliban Win the War |url=https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/the-drone-unit-that-helped-the-taliban-win-the-war/ |access-date=5 December 2022 |website=newlinesmag.com |language=en-US}}

On 1 September 2021, the Taliban flew a Black Hawk displaying the flag of the Taliban over Kabul.{{Cite web|last=Fox|first=David|title=Taking Black Hawk on victory flight, Taliban parade plundered US hardware|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/taking-black-hawk-on-victory-flight-taliban-parade-plundered-us-hardware/|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}} The top leadership of the Taliban announced their intentions to rebuild the Air Force.{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Shubhangi |date=2021-11-07 |editor-last=Ghosh |editor-first=Poulomi |title=Taliban express their intention to build their own Air Force in Afghanistan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-express-their-intention-to-build-their-own-air-force-in-afghanistan-101636276230161.html |access-date=2021-11-25 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} They have also encouraged US-trained Afghan pilots to return to Afghanistan. However, only a few pilots have returned since the Taliban takeover.{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=Phil |date=29 December 2021 |title=Special Report: Pilots detail chaotic collapse of the Afghan Air Force |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pilots-detail-chaotic-collapse-afghan-air-force-2021-12-29/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206154611/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pilots-detail-chaotic-collapse-afghan-air-force-2021-12-29/ |archive-date=6 February 2022 |website=Reuters |language=en}}

On 11 January 2022, Taliban's minister of Defence Mullah Yaqoob asked Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to return the aircraft that were used by Afghan pilots to flee the country and warned of repercussions if the aircraft are not returned.{{cite web |last1=Gul |first1=Ayaz |title=Taliban Demand Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Return Dozens of Afghan Aircraft |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-demand-uzbekistan-tajikistan-return-dozens-of-afghan-aircraft/6392629.html |website=Voice of America |date=11 January 2022}}

On 6 February 2022, Taliban's Ministry of Defence spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarizmi announced that around five Afghan pilots have returned to the country and resumed their work.{{cite web |last1=Daryush |first1=Farshad |title=Islamic Emirate Welcomes Return of Afghan Pilots |url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-176602 |website=TOLOnews |language=en |date=6 February 2022}}

As of July 2021, the Afghan Air Force had 161 aircraft with, as of May 2020, 7,505 personnel.{{sfn|Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction|2021|p=76}}{{sfn|Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction|2022|p=4}} There are four Afghan Air Force wings:

• Kabul (201st or 1st Wing): fixed-wing squadron, rotary-wing squadron, Presidential Airlift Squadron
• Kandahar (202nd or 2nd Wing): rotary-wing squadron, fixed-wing squadron
• Shindand (203rd or 3rd Wing): training squadron, rotary-wing squadron
• Mazar-i-Sharif (304th or 4th Wing): rotary-wing squadron

The command center of the Afghan Air Force was located at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The Shindand Air Base in Herat Province served as the main training facility.

Lt. Gen. Mohammad Dawran was the final Chief of Staff of the Afghan Air Force{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123159865/ |title=Senior Afghan commander's visit supports AMC role in building partnerships |last=Diamond |first=Mark |date=22 July 2009 |publisher=United States Air Force |access-date=4 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115080629/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123159865 |archive-date=15 January 2011 |url-status=live }} and Gen. Abdul Fahim Ramin as the final Afghan Air Force Commander.{{cite web|url=https://rs.nato.int/news-center/news-releases/2019-news-releases/manpower-for-airpower-afghan-pilots-graduated-in-kandahar.aspx|title=Manpower for airpower: Afghan pilots graduated in Kandahar|date=17 May 2019|access-date=15 April 2020|publisher=NATO}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Abdul Raziq Sherzai served as a major general and commander of the Kandahar Air Wing.{{cite web|url=http://www.dvidshub.net/news/88675/admiral-handley-visits-task-force-stethem-kandahar#.Ug9EMawQuTw|title=DVIDS – News – Admiral Handley visits Task Force Stethem in Kandahar|work=DVIDS|access-date=24 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407030546/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/88675/admiral-handley-visits-task-force-stethem-kandahar#.Ug9EMawQuTw|archive-date=7 April 2015|url-status=live}} Abdul Raziq Sherzai is the brother of Nangarhar Province province governor Gul Agha Sherzai.{{Cite web|title=A Story of Corruption in Afghanistan|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/3/2/1494844/-A-Story-of-Corruption-in-Afghanistan|access-date=2021-09-04|website=Daily Kos}}

In 2013 Afghanistan sent India a large wish-list of equipment which included one An-32 and two squadrons of Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters. This deal was initially put on hold due to fears of antagonizing India's regional rival Pakistan, but in 2014 India reached a compromise where instead of directly supplying the equipment it would instead pay Russia to deliver them. The deal included arms, ammunition and the refurbishment of weapon systems and aircraft left behind by the Soviets.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-afghanistan-arms-idUSBREA3T0J320140430|title=India turns to Russia to help supply arms to Afghan forces|work=Reuters|date=30 April 2014|access-date=24 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329163104/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/30/us-india-afghanistan-arms-idUSBREA3T0J320140430|archive-date=29 March 2015|url-status=live|last1=Miglani|first1=Sanjeev}}{{cite web |last=Samanta |first=Pranab Dhal |date=18 April 2014 |title=India to pay Russia for arms, ammo it sells to Afghanistan |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/india-to-pay-russia-for-arms-ammo-it-sells-to-afghanistan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302130638/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/india-to-pay-russia-for-arms-ammo-it-sells-to-afghanistan/ |archive-date=2 March 2015 |access-date=24 March 2015 |work=The Indian Express}}

India further agreed to help refurbish older Soviet-era aircraft in Afghan Air Force. As a part of this two Indian Air Force teams visited Afghanistan and identified around 50 aircraft which could be serviced and brought back to active service. This included Mi-25/35, Mi-8 and An-32s aircraft.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/India-to-restore-grounded-aircraft-in-Afghanistan/article16711883.ece |title=India to restore grounded aircraft in Afghanistan |newspaper=The Hindu |date=27 November 2016 |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128142008/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/India-to-restore-grounded-aircraft-in-Afghanistan/article16711883.ece |archive-date=28 November 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Peri |first1=Dinakar }}

File:A-29 Over Afghanistan.jpg

Twenty attack aircraft that could also be used for training and to provide the Army with close air support were desired. The two contenders were the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano and the Beechcraft AT-6. Embraer won the previous contract but the tendering process was cancelled after it was discovered that proper procedures were not followed. A winner for the new contract was expected in June 2013 with first deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2014, about 15 months after originally planned.{{cite news |last=Shalal |first=Andrea |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/afghanistan-planes-idUSL1E8G4PH520120504 |title=US Air Force seeks 2014 delivery of Afghan planes |publisher=Reuters |date=4 May 2012 |access-date=12 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513020315/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/04/afghanistan-planes-idUSL1E8G4PH520120504 |archive-date=13 May 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Sreeharsha |first=Vinod |date=June 15, 2012 |title=Embraer, Hawker Beechcraft face off again over planes for Afghanistan |url=http://www.kansas.com/2012/06/14/2375065/embraer-hawker-beechcraft-face.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624091631/http://www.kansas.com/2012/06/14/2375065/embraer-hawker-beechcraft-face.html |archive-date=24 June 2012 |access-date=16 June 2012 |website=The Wichita Eagle}} The Super Tucano was declared the winner of the contract again in 2013.{{cite web |author=Majumdar |first=Dave |date=28 February 2013 |title=Super Tucano beats out AT-6 for Afghan Light Air Support tender |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/super-tucano-beats-out-at-6-for-afghan-light-air-support-tender-382842/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001202044/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/super-tucano-beats-out-at-6-for-afghan-light-air-support-tender-382842/ |archive-date=1 October 2015 |access-date=24 March 2015}} The contract was to be completed by Sierra Nevada Corp. for 20 A-29 Super Tucanos with an expected delivery date of between December 2015 and 2018.{{cite book|title=Air Forces Monthly|date=April 2013|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|page=28}}{{Cite news|url = https://thediplomat.com/2015/03/when-will-the-afghan-air-force-be-ready-to-fight-the-taliban/|title = When Will the Afghan Air Force Be Ready to Fight the Taliban?|last = Gady|first = Franz-Stefan|date = 12 March 2015|work = The Diplomat|access-date = 29 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151013050134/https://thediplomat.com/2015/03/when-will-the-afghan-air-force-be-ready-to-fight-the-taliban/|archive-date = 13 October 2015|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}} DOD purchased the Super Tucanos for $427 million.{{cite web |last=Tilghman |first=Andrew |date=21 December 2015 |title=Afghan air force awaits arrival of first fixed-wing attack aircraft |url=http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/12/21/afghan-air-force-awaits-arrival-first-fixed-wing-attack-aircraft/77688626/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116124425/http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/12/21/afghan-air-force-awaits-arrival-first-fixed-wing-attack-aircraft/77688626/ |archive-date=16 January 2016 |access-date=27 February 2016 |work=Military Times}}

The first ten aircraft were to be stationed at Shindand Air Base, in western Afghanistan. The other 10 were to go to Kandahar Airfield.{{cite news |last=Hodge |first=Nathan |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204296804577124820631472892?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Hawker Beechcraft Sues Over Air Force Bidding |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=28 December 2011 |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315231957/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204296804577124820631472892?mod=googlenews_wsj |archive-date=15 March 2019 |url-status=live}}

Pilot training was undertaken by the U.S. Air Force's 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. On 18 December 2015, the first Super Tucano pilots graduated at Moody AFB. USAF Colonel John Nichols, the 14th Flying Training Wing Commander said of the pilots, "The extraordinary dedication of these pilots and the sacrifices these graduates have made will help establish a secure, stable and unified country". The pilot graduates and the remaining 22 student pilots were to receive further, advisory support in Afghanistan.{{cite web|last=Tinsley|first=Ceaira|title=First A-29 Afghan pilots graduate, ready for combat|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/637589/first-a-29-afghan-pilots-graduate-ready-for-combat/|date=21 December 2015|publisher=USAF|access-date=30 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111211514/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/637589/first-a-29-afghan-pilots-graduate-ready-for-combat.aspx|archive-date=11 January 2016|url-status=live}}

The first four aircraft arrived at Hamid Karzai International Airport on 15 January 2016,{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-of-20-a-29-super-tucanos-arrive-in-afghanistan-420988/|title=First of 20 A-29 Super Tucanos arrive in Afghanistan|date=19 January 2016|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703140326/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-of-20-a-29-super-tucanos-arrive-in-afghanistan-420988/|archive-date=3 July 2017|url-status=live}} with a further four due before the end of 2016. Combat-ready Afghan Super Tucano pilots graduated from training at Moody AFB returned to Afghanistan, the first of a total of 30 pilots the USAF trained.

By March 2018, the AAF had 12 Super Tucanos in service. On 22 March 2018, the Afghan Air Force dropped a GBU-58 Paveway II laser-guided bomb from a Super Tucano in combat, for the first time.[https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/03/27/afghan-29-drops-first-laser-guided-bomb-taliban.html?ESRC=airforce_a_180328.nl "Afghan A-29 Drops First Laser-Guided Bomb on Taliban"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329054930/https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/03/27/afghan-29-drops-first-laser-guided-bomb-taliban.html?ESRC=airforce_a_180328.nl |date=29 March 2018 }} Military.com, 27 March 2018

The U.S. Navy equipped the Afghan Air Force with refurbished An-32 transport aircraft during initial reconstruction efforts.{{cite news | url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm/doing_business/open_solicitations/uploads//N00019-09-R-0007/doing_business/open_solicitations/uploads//N68335-13-R-0066/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.PrintNewsStory&id=3971 | work=Naval Air Systems Command | first=NAVAIR News Release | last=NAVAIR Headquarters | title=NAVAIR acquired Afghan An-32 aircraft support combat operations in Kandahar | date=20 August 2008 | access-date=28 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629093838/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm/doing_business/open_solicitations/uploads//N00019-09-R-0007/doing_business/open_solicitations/uploads//N68335-13-R-0066/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.PrintNewsStory&id=3971 | archive-date=29 June 2013 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} These aircraft augmented an existing fleet of An-32 and An-26 aircraft. The An-32 was retired on 17 June 2011 in a push to move operations over to the C27 program but like the L-39, it is still kept in ready status by the Afghan Air Force.{{cite news|url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/story/id/123260962/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629093812/http://www.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123260962 |url-status=live |archive-date=29 June 2013 |work=U.S. Air Forces Central Command |first=Vladimir |last=Potapenko |title=AAF retires An-32 transport aircraft, makes way for future |date=24 June 2011 }}

The United States purchased the C-27A to move the AAF away from Soviet aircraft. A total of 20 former Italian military C-27As were purchased with the intent of providing the Afghan Air Force a fleet that would last 10 years. However, the prime contractor in the refurbishment and supply of the planes, Alenia Aermacchi North America, a unit of Italian defense conglomerate Finmeccanica S.p.A., was unable to provide adequate maintenance support for the aircraft. As a result, the majority of the fleet at any time was grounded for safety of flight issues (including a period where the entire fleet was grounded for over six months). The US military worked over the course of three years with Alenia North America to get the fleet fully operational.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304065704577424411417912118 |work=The Wall Street Journal |first=Nathan |last=Hodge |title=Maintenance Snafu Grounds Afghan Fleet |date=25 May 2012 |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185853/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304065704577424411417912118 |archive-date=12 November 2017 |url-status=live }}

File:Bagram's runway stays busy (cropped).jpg in May 2015]]

Part of the issues with supplying the C-27As came about from ownership. The C-27A program included an initial parts supply and training contract for the Afghan Air Force. Upon arrival of the first two aircraft in November 2009, Brig. Gen. Michael R. Boera,{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108112/michael-r-boera/|title=MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL R. BOERA|access-date=24 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328041106/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/108112/major-general-michael-r-boera.aspx|archive-date=28 March 2015|url-status=live}} commanding general, Combined Air Power Transition Force and commander of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing announced that the aircraft were part of the Afghan National Army Air Corps in a ceremony at Kabul International Airport.{{cite news| url=https://www.army.mil/article/30613/| work=Army.mil| first=Michael| last=Boera| title=C-27s to provide Afghanistan modern airlift capability| date=16 November 2009| access-date=27 June 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007003448/http://www.army.mil/article/30613/| archive-date=7 October 2013| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}} The contract for the aircraft, a 14-month effort, had the U.S. government as the end user of the aircraft due to an Italian arms embargo with Afghanistan. The U.S. declaration that the C-27A was now an Afghan Air Force asset effectively violated international law and the Italian government enforced the embargo and stopped shipment of contracted supplies to Afghanistan. This put the U.S. government in a dilemma since the $290 million contract was funded through the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) which required, by U.S. law, that all military materials purchased be turned over to the Afghan government.{{cite news|url=http://www.disamjournal.org/articles/afghanistan-security-forces-fund-asffthe-past-present-and-future-860 |work=The DISAM Journal |first=Ed |last=McFarland |title=Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF)—The Past, Present, and Future |date=1 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006140706/http://www.disamjournal.org/articles/afghanistan-security-forces-fund-asffthe-past-present-and-future-860 |archive-date=6 October 2013 }}

The C-27A was eventually determined to be a U.S. owned asset utilized by the Afghan Air Force with intent to turn over the asset in the future. This determination assumed that the Italian embargo would at some point be lifted, or that enough supplies could be stock piled to take the aircraft through its expected 10-year service life, but that determination was not immediate. This caused a delay of contracted goods beyond the time frame of the initial contract through no fault of the contractor, and made it necessary for the U.S. government to enter into a second more costly maintenance contract with Alenia North America to get aircraft operational. Since the C-27A aircraft purchased still had Italian military air worthiness certificates controlled by the company, Alenia North America effectively monopolized the entire supply chain making fair competition non-existent. This second contract inflated the total program cost to over $600 million, and it would have cost over $1.2 billion had the U.S. opted to extend the contract up to 10 years.{{cite news| url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/asd_01_04_2013_p01-02-533438.xml&p=2 | work= Aerospace Daily & Defense Report | first=Anthony | last=Osborne | title=U.S. Air Force Halts Troubled Afghan Air Force Transport Deal | date=4 January 2013}}

The contract with Alenia North America was eventually terminated. It was announced that the contractor had failed to meet their legal obligations, and that the Afghan Air Force would receive four Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, expected in 2013.{{cite news | url=http://www.stripes.com/news/us-scraps-entire-fleet-of-afghan-cargo-planes-1.202220 | work=Stars and Stripes | first=Heath | last=Druzin | title=US scraps entire fleet of Afghan cargo planes | date=28 December 2012 | access-date=27 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630030545/http://www.stripes.com/news/us-scraps-entire-fleet-of-afghan-cargo-planes-1.202220 | archive-date=30 June 2013 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} The G-222 program legacy to the C-130 is that the cockpit and cargo compartment configurations of the C-27A are similar to that of a C-130H. The C-27A simulator program, contracted to Fidelity Technologies Corporation, produced three C-27A simulators: one Fuselage Load Trainer (cargo compartment), one Flight Training Device (cockpit), and one Basic Aircraft Training Device (cockpit).{{cite press release | url=http://www.fidelitytech.com/news/fidelity-completes-factory-acceptance-test-of-g222-c-27a-fuselage-load-trainer-flt-for-us-armyafghan-national-army-air-corps/ | work=Fidelity Technologies Corporation | title=Fidelity Completes Factory Acceptance Test of C-27A Fuselage Load Trainer (FLT) for US Army/Afghan National Army Air Corps | date=3 October 2012 | access-date=28 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118013605/http://www.fidelitytech.com/news/fidelity-completes-factory-acceptance-test-of-g222-c-27a-fuselage-load-trainer-flt-for-us-armyafghan-national-army-air-corps/ | archive-date=18 January 2015 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} These training devices were built to FAA standards from two derelict U.S. Air Force C-27A aircraft and allowed the Afghan Air Force to continue to train while the C-27A fleet was effectively out of service for over a year, making transition to the C-130 a feasible alternative.

File:Afghan Air Force MD-530F helicopter fires machine guns.jpg firing off its gun pods]]

The Mi-17 was in service with the Afghan Air Force since the late 1970s (four were damaged or destroyed in combat as early as 1979). DOD purchased a number of new Mi-17s for the AAF from Russia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. At least two Mi-17s were reported to have crashed during the Afghanistan War.{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/06/13/us-buying-more-helicopters-from-firm-supplying-syria/ | work=Chicago Tribune | title=U.S. buying more helicopters from firm supplying Syria | date=13 June 2012 | access-date=16 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403111035/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-13/news/sns-rt-us-usa-afghanistan-russia-helicoptersbre85c1ny-20120613_1_enabler-of-mass-murder-helicopters-mi-17 | archive-date=3 April 2015 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}

The most recent DOD acquisition of Mi-17s was for 21 airframes, spare parts and training. These all include western avionics. Eighteen of these were delivered in 2012. As part of the contract, there was also an option for another twelve Mi-17s, raising the contract to 33.{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-08/pentagon-defends-buying-from-russia-trader-aiding-assad.html | work=Bloomberg | first1=Tony | last1=Capaccio | first2=David | last2=Lerman | title=Pentagon Defends Buying From Russia Trader Aiding Assad | date=9 May 2012 | access-date=5 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231084529/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-08/pentagon-defends-buying-from-russia-trader-aiding-assad.html | archive-date=31 December 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|title=US defends purchase of attack helicopters for Afghanistan from Russian arms company supplying Syrian regime|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/us-defends-purchase-of-attack-helicopters-for-afghanistan-from-russian-arms-company-supplying-syrian-regime/story-e6frf7lf-1226393819754|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613001238/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/us-defends-purchase-of-attack-helicopters-for-afghanistan-from-russian-arms-company-supplying-syrian-regime/story-e6frf7lf-1226393819754|archive-date=13 June 2012|access-date=23 November 2018|publisher=Herald Sun}} They were modified in the UAE after being delivered to the US Army to fit Afghan Air Force requirements better before being sent to Afghanistan.

The Afghan Air Force possessed two Mi-17v5 Flight Training Devices, one Mi-17v5 Basic Aircraft Training Device, and one Mi-17 Cockpit Procedure Trainer built by Fidelity Technologies Corporation. The Air Force was expected be in possession of 46 Mi-17 helicopters by June 2012, with an additional 10 to be delivered by 2016.

In 2017 the decision was made to transition from Russian to U.S. helicopters due to issues with sourcing parts and maintenance because of ongoing diplomatic issues between the US, the AAF main source of funds, and Russia. Consequently, it was decided to replace the AAF Mi-17s with refurbished UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The US Department of Defense (DoD) requested $814.5M for 2017, the first year of the plan, to re-equip the Afghan Air Force and to provide funding to procure 53 UH-60s, with refurbishment and modification of the first 18.{{cite news|title=US approves $76.7 million contract in support of Afghan Air Force|url=https://www.khaama.com/us-approves-76-7-million-contract-in-support-of-afghan-air-force-02837|access-date=28 May 2017|agency=Khaama Press|date=26 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527221918/https://www.khaama.com/us-approves-76-7-million-contract-in-support-of-afghan-air-force-02837|archive-date=27 May 2017|url-status=live}} Long term the US planned to provide 159 UH-60 Black Hawks with funding for the first 53 already being secured in the 2017 budget, however, the DoD would have had to request additional funds each year to procure the rest of the proposed aircraft. Deliveries were expected to start in 2019 with 30 helicopters expected to be delivered each year.{{cite news|last1=Snow|first1=Shawn|last2=Wolf|first2=Mackenzie|title=US to provide Afghanistan with up to 159 Black Hawks to help break 'stalemate'|url=http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/blackhawks-airforce-afghanistan-stalemate|access-date=28 May 2017|agency=US Military|date=17 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524231313/http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/blackhawks-airforce-afghanistan-stalemate|archive-date=24 May 2017|url-status=live}} The UH-60s were also to be fitted with rocket pods to increase their offensive capability and the first four UH-60s slated for training were expected to arrive in Afghanistan in autumn 2017. The refurbished helicopters would have been 1980s UH-60As with new engines with the most likely choice being the General Electric T-700-GE-701C, which is found on the U.S. Army's newer UH-60Ls and Ms, as well as the up-coming UH-60V model.{{cite news|last1=Trevithick|first1=Joseph|title=The US Plan to Give Afghanistan a Fleet of Black Hawks Is Deeply Flawed|url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/10413/the-us-plan-to-give-afghanistan-a-fleet-of-black-hawks-is-deeply-flawed|access-date=28 May 2017|agency=The Drive|date=18 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526003553/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/10413/the-us-plan-to-give-afghanistan-a-fleet-of-black-hawks-is-deeply-flawed|archive-date=26 May 2017|url-status=live}}

The Czech Republic supplied five Mi-35 attack helicopters in 2008.{{cite news |last1=Gady |first1=Franz-Stefan |title=India Delivers 2 More Mi-24V Attack Helicopters to Afghanistan |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/india-delivers-2-more-mi-24v-attack-helicopters-to-afghanistan/ |access-date=1 April 2024 |work=The Diplomat |date=16 October 2019}} Between 2015 and 2018, India donated eight Mi-35s.{{cite report|author=United States. Department of Defense|title=Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan|date=June 2019|url=https://media.defense.gov/2019/Jul/12/2002156816/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING-SECURITY-AND-STABILITY-IN-AFGHANISTAN.PDF|access-date=24 April 2024|page=20|ref={{Sfnref|Department of Defense|2019}}}} In 2019, the DoD reported that it did not provide any funding or advisory support for the Mi-35s and that the Mi-35 had been "removed from the authorized fleet in 2015 but the Afghans continue to attempt to sustain them".{{cite news |last1=Trevithick |first1=Joseph |title=The Afghan Air Force Just Can't Quit The Hind Gunship Helicopter |url=https://www.twz.com/28992/the-afghan-air-force-just-cant-quit-the-hind-gunship |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The War Zone |date=15 July 2019}}{{sfn|Department of Defense|2019|p=55}} In 2021, it was reported that the helicopters donated by India were grounded due to a lack of Russian spare parts.{{cite web |last1=Taghvaee |first1=Babak |title=Analysis: Exploring the fate of the Afghan Air Force |url=https://www.key.aero/article/analysis-exploring-fate-afghan-air-force |website=Key.Aero |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827182455/https://www.key.aero/article/analysis-exploring-fate-afghan-air-force |archive-date=27 August 2021 |date=27 August 2021 |url-status=dead}}

In 2015, the AAF received the first 6 armed MD-530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters known in Dari as the 'Jengi'.{{cite report|author=United States. Department of Defense|title=Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan|date=June 2015|url=https://www.defense.gov/pubs/June_1225_Report_Final.pdf |page=67 |id=5-7B5DCF1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616175613/https://www.defense.gov/pubs/June_1225_Report_Final.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=Trevithick |first1=Joseph |title=Afghanistan Is Getting More Ill-Suited Attack Choppers it May Not Even Be Able to Fly |url=https://www.twz.com/14159/afghanistan-is-getting-more-ill-suited-attack-choppers-it-may-not-even-be-able-to-fly |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The War Zone |date=29 June 2019}}{{cite press release |last1=Sakura |first1=Capt. Edith |title=MD-530 'Jengi' helicopter flies over Afghanistan |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/173150/md-530-jengi-helicopter-flies-over-afghanistan |website=DVIDS |publisher=438th Air Expeditionary Wing |access-date=24 April 2024 |date=14 August 2015}} The last 5 of a total of 60 MD-530Fs were received in 2019.{{cite news |last1=Jennings |first1=Gareth |title=Afghanistan receives final MD 530F helos |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/afghanistan-receives-final-md-530f-helos |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=Janes |date=25 November 2019}} The MD-530Fs could be equipped with a FN Herstal HMP 400 .50 BMG caliber machine gun pod and a M260 7-shot rocket pod.{{cite press release |title=Afghan Air Force to expand fleet of MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters |url=https://www.mdhelicopters.com/afghan-air-force-to-expand-fleet-of-md-530f-cayuse-warrior-helicopters/ |website=MD Helicopters |access-date=24 April 2024 |date=25 November 2019}} Prior to 2015, the AAF had operated five unarmed MD-530 helicopters to train pilots.{{cite press release |title=MD Helicopters announces final delivery of all enhanced MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Light Scout Attack Helicopters to the Afghan Air Force |url=https://www.mdhelicopters.com/md-helicopters-announces-final-delivery-of-all-enhanced-md-530f-cayuse-warrior-light-scout-attack-helicopters-to-the-afghan-air-force/ |website=MH Helicopters |access-date=24 April 2024 |date=25 August 2016}}

File:Cessna_182_at_Shindand_Airfield,_Afghanistan,_March_9,_2014.jpg at Shindand Airbase, March 2014]]

Training was undertaken at the Shindand Air Wing at Shindand Air Base in western Afghanistan. The base which had been refurbished and expanded by NATO was tripled its initial size. The seven candidates were all graduates of the National Military Academy of Afghanistan or Initial Officer Training held in the United Kingdom and also undertook English language training in the Kabul English Language Training Center. Students were to be trained in both fixed-wing aircraft, namely the Cessna 182T and 208B and in rotary wing aircraft, the MD 530F.{{cite web |url=http://www.dvidshub.net/news/80205/afghan-pilot-candidates-make-history-head-pilot-training#.TsovKkyJunQ |title=DVIDS – News – Afghan pilot candidates make history … head to pilot training |publisher=Dvidshub.net |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203040810/http://www.dvidshub.net/news/80205/afghan-pilot-candidates-make-history-head-pilot-training#.TsovKkyJunQ |archive-date=3 February 2012 |url-status=live }} About 6 MD 530F helicopters were delivered to Shindand in late 2011. The initial 6 helicopters completed acceptance flights and were in a condition to be used to begin training AAF pilots,{{cite web |url=http://ntm-a.com/wordpress2/archives/8715 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111211514/http://ntm-a.com/wordpress2/archives/8715 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 January 2016 |title=NATO Training Mission Afghanistan |publisher=NTM-A.com |date=21 December 2011 |access-date=28 April 2012 }} although one was destroyed in 2013 by an IED.Gareth Jennings. "[http://www.janes.com/article/27570/afghan-little-bird-helo-destroyed-by-ied Afghan Little Bird helo destroyed by IED] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729012233/http://www.janes.com/article/27570/afghan-little-bird-helo-destroyed-by-ied |date=29 July 2014 }}" Jane's Defence Weekly, 26 September 2013. Retrieved: 13 October 2013. The four-year contract could’ve seen as many as 54 other helicopters being supplied to the AAF.{{cite web|title=MD Helicopters Awarded $186 Million Department of the Army Rotary Wing Primary Training Aircraft (RWPTA) Contract|url=http://www.mdhelicopters.com/news/pdf/2011/031316-1.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017083700/http://www.mdhelicopters.com/news/pdf/2011/031316-1.pdf|archive-date=17 October 2013|access-date=21 November 2011|website=mdhelicopters.com}}

With the delivery of 20 advanced fixed-wing light support aircraft, a plan was made for the A-29 Super Tucano Afghan pilots to undergo further training. This would’ve significantly increased the level of knowledge and experience in the AAF.{{cite web |author=Fahey |first=Chris |date=15 January 2012 |title=New airframe adds strike capability to Afghan air force |url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123286333/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119073708/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123286333 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |access-date=28 April 2012 |publisher=Af.mil}}

{{Main|List of Afghan Air Force aircraft|List of active aircraft of the Afghan Air Force}}

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) deteriorated following the collapse of Najibullah's government in 1992, and it was nearly eliminated by US/Coalition air strikes during Operation Enduring Freedom in late 2001. The new NATO-assembled Afghan Air Force gradually increased its aircraft inventory, personnel, and operational capabilities since at least 2007. The last addition of aircraft was made in December 2011, which included 12 trainers and 6 helicopters from the United States.[http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/12/10/us-delivers-18-aircraft-afghan-air-force US delivers 18 aircraft to Afghan Air Force] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403104143/http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/12/10/us-delivers-18-aircraft-afghan-air-force |date=3 April 2015 }} by Ahmad Quraishion for Pajhwok Afghan News. 10 December 2011.

Prior to the hostilities, in July 2021 the Afghan Air Force had 131 usable or in-country aircraft including 23 A-29 Super Tucano’s, 3 C-130’s, 23 Cessna 208’s, 10 AC-208's, 12 Mil Mi-17’s, 28 UH-60 Blackhawk’s, and 42 MD 530 helicopters.{{sfn|Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction|2021|p=76}} In July 2020, the Special Mission Wing (SMW), a separate subordinate formation of the Afghan National Army that conducted special operations aviation missions, had four Mi-17 squadrons and one Pilatus PC-12 squadron.{{sfn|United States. Department of Defense|2020|pp=58,75}} The number of SMW aircraft was classified, however, it has been reported that the number of PC-12's was 18 with 61% of them operational.{{sfn|Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction|2020|p=85}}{{cite news |last1=Taghvaee |first1=Babak |title=Analysis: Exploring the fate of the Afghan Air Force |url=https://www.key.aero/article/analysis-exploring-fate-afghan-air-force |access-date=1 April 2024 |work=Key.Aero |date=27 August 2021}}

During the Taliban offensive of 2021 several helicopters including UH-60 Black Hawk's and Mil Mi-17's were destroyed, while other helicopters including Mil Mi-24, MD 530F Cayuse Warrior, UH-60 Black Hawk and Mil Mi-17 were also captured by the Taliban.{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Disaster At Hand: Documenting Afghan Military Equipment Losses Since June 2021 |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/06/disaster-at-hand-documenting-afghan.html |website=Oryx Blog |access-date=17 August 2021 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813045408/https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/06/disaster-at-hand-documenting-afghan.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Parsons |first=Dan |date=16 August 2021 |title=Taliban captures Afghan helicopters as last U.S. personnel evacuated |url=https://verticalmag.com/news/taliban-captures-afghan-helicopter-fleet-ast-us-personnel-evacuated/ |access-date=16 August 2021 |website=Vertical}}

Throughout the Fall of Kabul, at least 22 fixed wing and 24 helicopters carrying 585 Afghans fled to Uzbekistan. One Afghan Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano crashed after crossing the border, Uzbek authorities issued conflicting reports on the cause. Two Afghan military planes carrying over 100 soldiers also landed in the Tajik city of Bokhtar.{{cite news |date=16 August 2021 |title=Uzbekistan says hundreds of Afghan soldiers flee over border with dozens of aircraft |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-military-jet-crashes-uzbekistan-report-2021-08-16/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114120012/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-military-jet-crashes-uzbekistan-report-2021-08-16/ |archive-date=14 January 2022}}{{cite web|last=Trevithick |first=Joseph | url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42010/u-s-troops-kill-two-armed-afghans-at-unsecure-kabul-airport-thousands-more-being-sent| title=U.S. Troops Kill Two Armed Afghans At Unsecured Kabul Airport, Thousands More Being Sent (Updated)|date=16 August 2021 |access-date=2 September 2021}}

Initial estimates of AAF aircraft captured by the Taliban, according to photographic/video evidence, included 13 aircraft, 38 helicopters, seven Boeing Insitu ScanEagle UAVs, and 73 additional aircraft reportedly disabled by U.S. forces before they departed.{{Cite web|last=|title=The Taliban Air Force - An Inventory Assessment|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/08/the-taliban-air-force-inventory.html|access-date=16 August 2021|website=Oryx Blog}}

On 17 August 2021, it was reported that elements of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) fled to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on board 22 fixed-wing planes and 26 helicopters from the former AAF including A-29 Super Tucano, Cessna AC-208 Caravans, Pilatus PC-12NG, Mi-8/Mi-17s Hip, UH-60 Black Hawk, and MD 530F Little Bird.{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2021-08-17 |title=Dozens Of U.S.-Bought Afghan Air Force Aircraft Are Now Orphaned At An Uzbek Airfield |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42040/dozens-of-u-s-bought-afghan-air-force-aircraft-are-now-orphaned-at-an-uzbek-airfield |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=The Drive |language=en}} As the AAF fled to neighboring countries, one A-29 Super Tucano crashed in Uzbekistan, while six landed safely. 7 UH-60s fled to Uzbekistan.

On 20 November 2021, it was reported that ex-Afghan Air Force aircraft - three Russian made Mi-17 Hip helicopters - had arrived at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base aka "The Boneyard". Based on radar data, they're believed to have come from Uzbekistan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43224/trio-of-afghan-mi-17-helicopters-arrive-at-the-u-s-air-forces-boneyard|title=Trio Of Afghan Mi-17 Helicopters Quietly Arrive At The U.S. Air Force's Boneyard|first1=Joseph|last1=Trevithick|first2=Tyler|last2=Rogoway|date=20 November 2021|website=The Drive}}

On 10 December 2021, it was disclosed that a further 17 helicopters, ex-Afghan Air Force, have arrived at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base over the past few weeks. They included an additional four Mi-17 Hip transport helicopters and 17 MD 530F Little Bird armed light helicopters. This increased the total number of former Afghan Air Force aircraft, brought back to the U.S. to 24 aircraft - all helicopters.{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2021-12-10 |title=Dozens Of Afghan Helicopters Have Now Arrived At The U.S. Air Force's Boneyard |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43461/dozens-of-afghan-helicopters-have-now-been-delivered-to-the-u-s-air-forces-boneyard |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=The Drive |language=en}} 37 UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopters are being stored in the U.S. as their delivery was cancelled, while it's believed the seven Black Hawks that fled Afghanistan may be returned to the same unknown location where the 37 never delivered Black Hawks are kept. Six helicopters, including three UH-60A+ Black Hawks and three Mi-17s,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43068/former-afghan-pilots-that-fled-to-tajikistan-are-finally-about-to-leave-with-u-s-help|title=Afghan Pilots That Fled To Tajikistan Are Finally About To Leave With U.S. Help|first=Joseph|last=Trevithick|date=9 November 2021|website=The Drive}} were undergoing maintenance outside of Afghanistan when the country fell and it's unknown whether these Mi-17s were part of the airlifts that brought the additional four Mi-17s to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base over the past few weeks.

There are varying reports that some fixed wing and helicopters are in flying condition. These include Cessna 208s, Antonov An-26/An-32s, Mi-8/17s, Mi-24/35s, MD500 Defenders, UH-60 Black Hawks, and a ScanEagle UAV.{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/flight-international/how-afghanistans-fall-reshaped-world-air-forces-inventory/146576.article|title = World Air Forces 2022|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2022 |doi = |accessdate= 14 December 2021|url-access=registration}}{{Cite web |last= |title=Far From Finished: The Islamic Emirate Air Force |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/11/far-from-finished-islamic-emirate-air.html |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Oryx}}{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan repairs 70 military planes, helicopters damaged by US |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/afghanistan-repairs-70-military-planes-helicopters-damaged-by-us/2747036 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}{{Cite web |last=WARE |first=Doug G |date=28 February 2023 |title=Taliban have learned to use some us helicopters,planes left in Afghanistan |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-02-28/afghanistan-withdrawal-weapons-taliban-sigar-9287001.html |website=Stars and stripes}}

File:Afghan Air Force UH-60 Blackhawk piloted by an Afghan.jpg]]

{{main|List of Afghan Armed Forces installations}}

During its first incarnation, Afghan aircraft carried simple black and white depictions of the Arms of Afghanistan, with the inscription 'God is great' on the underside of the wings. The Afghan flag was possibly used as well. Afghanistan adopted a black, red, and green flag after the 1929 revolt, and when the Air Force was given aircraft again in 1937, it placed this flag on the rudder, and adopted wing and fuselage roundels based on the three colors.

File:Roundel of Afghanistan (1924–1929).svg|Roundel and fin flash used by the Afghan Air Force from 1924 until 1929.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-10 |title=Air Force (Afghanistan) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/af%5Eaf.html#1924 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=CRW Flags}}

File:Roundel of Afghanistan (1937–1947).svg|Roundel used by the Afghan Air Force from 1937 until 1967.

File:Roundel of the Afghan Air Force (1948-1979).svg|Roundel introduced in 1967; also used as a fin flash. The three letters are the initials of Afghan Nero-e-Hawa (Afghan air force).

File:Afghanistan-roundel02.svg|Another variant of the roundel introduced in 1967; also used as a fin flash.

File:Roundel of Afghanistan (1978–1980).svg|Roundel used by the Afghan Air Force from 1978 until 1980.

File:Roundel of the Afghan Air Force (1983-1992).svg|Roundel used by the Afghan Air Force from 1983 until 1992.

File:Afghan National Army emblem.svg|Variants of this emblem adorned many Afghan military aircraft in 2006. The three letters are the initials of Afghan Ordou-e Melli (Afghan National Army).

File:Afghan National Air Force roundel.svg|Roundel used by the Afghan National Air Force from 2007 until 2021.

File:Emblem of the Afghan Air Force.svg|Emblem of the Afghan Air Force from 2007 until 2021

File:IEA-AF roundel.svg|One of the insignias used by Afghan Air Force since 2021 after the fall of the republic and the return of Taliban to Kabul, which is largely the Emblem of Taliban Afghanistan.

The Royal Afghan Air Force retained the roundels until adopting a new style in 1967, with a unique insignia consisting of a tri-color triangle using the national colors upon a white disc, on which was inscribed with Arabic lettering forming various phrases. This roundel was placed on the rudder in place of the flag. This remained in use after the overthrow of the monarchy until the Saur Revolution in 1978, when a new insignia of a red disc with yellow inscriptions with the Pashto word Khalq was adopted. This was short-lived however, as in 1983, an emblem more reminiscent of the 1937 Afghan Airforce roundel was adopted which featured a red star on a white disc ringed in black, red, and green was adopted. These were in use until the fall of the Najibullah regime in April 1992.

Upon the fall of the Homeland Party government in 1992, various different roundels were adopted by different warlord factions of Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin, Jamiat-e Islami, the Junbish and later the Taliban some of which included the old tri-color with different coloring depending on the faction.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

After the 2021 Taliban reassertion of power in Afghanistan, on some helicopters the triangle insignia was replaced by the flag or the coat of arms of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan while on some others, the Taliban continue to use the traditional Afghan Air Force triangle.

• Abdul Ahad Momand - Afghan Cosmonaut and Air Force Colonel
• Latifa Nabizada
• Niloofar Rahmani
• Mohammad Dawran - Afghan Air Force Major General and Soyuz TM-6 candidate
• Abdul Qadir

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Giustozzi|2016}}|author=Antonio Giustozzi|title=The Army of Afghanistan: A Political History of a Fragile Institution|place=London|publisher=C Hurst & Co.|date=2016|isbn=9781849044813}} 288 pp.; £35.00. Due to its 'simplicity, which matched low technology and basic organization found among the human resources available' the Taliban's army from 1996 to 2001 was perhaps the most successful national army for Afghanistan (p. 121).
• {{cite web |author= Daniel Goure |url=http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/us-acquisition-decisions-undermine-afghan-air-force?a=1 |title=U.S. Acquisition Decisions Undermine Afghan Air Force |date=28 January 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415063117/http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/us-acquisition-decisions-undermine-afghan-air-force?a=1 |archive-date=15 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite journal|ref={{harvid|Marion|2010}}|author=Forrest L. Marion|title=The Destruction and Rebuilding of the Afghan Air Force, 1989-2009|journal=Air Power History|volume=57|number=2|date=Summer 2010|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/26275885.pdf|page=27|jstor=26275885}}
• Nyrop, Richard F., and Donald M. Seekins. "Area Handbook Series: Afghanistan: A Country Study:" Fort Belvoir, VA: Defense Technical Information Center, January 1986.
• {{cite report|author=Inspector General United States Department of Defense |title=Assessment of U.S. Government and Coalition Plans to Train, Equip, and Field the Afghan Air Force |date=28 September 2012 |url=https://media.defense.gov/2012/Sep/28/2001712457/-1/-1/1/DODIG-2012-141.pdf |id=DODIG-2012-141|access-date=1 April 2024 |ref={{harvid|Inspector General|2012}}}}
• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Five: Asia |journal=The Military Balance |date=2024 |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=218–327 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 |access-date=17 April 2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}}|url-access=subscription }}
• {{cite report |author=Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction |title=Afghan Air Forces: DOD Has Taken Steps to Develop Afghan Aviation Capability but Continued U.S. Support is Needed to Sustain Forces |date=January 2022 |url=https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/audits/SIGAR-21-14-AR.pdf |id=SIGAR 21-14 Audit Report |access-date=1 April 2024}}
• {{cite report |author=Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction |title=Quarterly report to the United States Congress |date=30 January 2020 |location=Arlington, Va |url=https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2020-01-30qr.pdf |access-date=1 April 2024}}
• {{cite report |author=Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction |title=Quarterly report to the United States Congress |date=30 October 2021 |location=Arlington, Va |url=https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2021-10-30qr.pdf |access-date=1 April 2024}}
• {{cite report|author=United States. Department of Defense|title=Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan |date=November 2010|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2010/afghanistan-security-stability_201011.pdf|oclc=769299266 |access-date=31 March 2024}}
• {{cite report|author=United States. Department of Defense|title=Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan|date=June 2020 |url=https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF|id=E-2BA2571|access-date=1 April 2024}}
• {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Yousaf|Adkin|1992}}|author1=Yousaf, Mohammad|author2=Adkin, Mark|name-list-style=amp|title=Afghanistan, the bear trap: the defeat of a superpower|year=1992|publisher=Casemate|place=Havertown, Penn.|isbn=978-0-9711709-2-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/afghanistanthebe00yous/page/159 159]|url=https://archive.org/details/afghanistanthebe00yous/page/159}} Republished 2001.

{{refend}}

• {{cite book|author=Lukas Müller|title=Wings Over the Hindu Kush: Air Forces, Aircraft and Air Warfare of Afghanistan, 1989-2001|series=Asia @ War |publisher= Helion |date= 2020 |isbn=9781913118662}} (72 pages)

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.artiklar.z-bok.se/Afghanistan-1.html The First 30 Years of Aviation in Afghanistan]
• [http://cocardes.monde.online.fr/v2html/en/pays/afghanistan.html Roundels of the world, Afghanistan]
• {{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/afghanistan/anaac-modernization.htm|title=Afghan Air Force (AAF) – Modernization|first=John|last=Pike|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=11 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112100832/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/afghanistan/anaac-modernization.htm|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live}}
• https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2009/RAND_MG845.pdf
• [https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/220260/afghan-national-army-air-corps-now-afghan-national-army-air-force/ Afghan National Army Air Corps now Afghan National Army Air Force]

{{Afghan security forces}}

{{Afghan National Security Forces}}

{{Air forces}}

{{Authority control}}

Air Force

Category:Air forces by country

Air Force

Category:Military units and formations established in 1924

Category:1924 establishments in Afghanistan