KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The NATO Resolute Support Mission allows U.S. Soldiers and coalition partners to work with Afghan forces on a daily basis. While other entities are dedicated to training and advising the Afghan Air Force, Task Force Corsair, a multi-functional aviation task force, aids Afghan forces by providing full-spectrum aviation support.
Task Force Corsair is comprised of Soldiers from the 82nd Aviation Regiment, deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C. The task force operates under the leadership of NATO Train, Advise, Assist Command - South (TAAC-S), which is responsible for operations in the southern regions of Afghanistan. TAAC-S is led by the 1st Cavalry Division, deployed from Fort Hood, Texas, and includes service members from multiple commands, including the 101st Airborne Division, deployed from Fort Campbell, Ky.
With Afghan forces leading the way in operations, the service members of Corsair assist in execution of air assault operations. The Soldiers of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, provide transportation to objective areas utilizing CH-47F Chinook helicopters. They land in treacherous terrain and overcome the challenging atmospheric conditions of Afghanistan. As part of their duties, they also support ground forces by conducting resupply missions.
The service members of Company A, 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, include the AH-64D Apache helicopter pilots who fly every day to eliminate potential attacks on Kandahar Airfield.
"We provide a sense of security for ground forces; it is comforting for them knowing that they have the most lethal asset on the battlefield overhead," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Murray, an Apache pilot in Company A and a native of Fayetteville, N.C.
The service members of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, assist by moving personnel and equipment across the battlefield in UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters to conduct operations or meetings with Afghan forces, U.S. forces, and Afghan civilians.
"The majority of our [movements] require us to transport [leaders] … in order to conduct key leader engagements to discuss [Afghan] future operations and how we can better assist them," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Juan Serna, a UH-60M pilot in Company C, of El Paso, Texas.
TAAC-S is headquartered at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
Social Sharing