Kandahar Air Wing holds media event, displays expertise

By Sgt. Luke RollinsDecember 28, 2012

Kandahar Air Wing holds media event
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier from the Kandahar Air Wing, Afghan air force, demonstrates military drills during an exhibition event, Dec. 24, 2012, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The Kandahar Air Wing is newly partnered with Task Force Falcon in supporting aviation ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Kandahar Air Wing holds media event
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Shah Wali, a battalion commander and director of training at the Kandahar Air Wing, Afghan Air Force, issues orders to his soldiers during an exhibition event, Dec. 24, 2012, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The Kandahar Air Wing is newly ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Kandahar Air Wing holds media event
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the Kandahar Air Wing, Afghan Air Force, perform callisthenic drills during an exhibition event, Dec. 24, 2012, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The Kandahar Air Wing is newly partnered with Task Force Falcon such as supporting aviati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 28, 2012) -- The Kandahar Air Wing held a media event Dec. 24, at Kandahar Airfield, to demonstrate its military proficiency and connect with outlets in Kandahar, province.

A subdivision of the Afghan air force, the Kandahar Air Wing, or KAW, generates, supports, and employs combat air power to serve the people of southern Afghanistan, said Brig. Gen. Haji Muhammad Azam, operations group commander for the KAW and pilot of 32 years.

The day's events began with a demonstration of the KAW's military discipline through a series of drills and military movements, all led by Lt. Col. Shah Wali, a battalion commander and director of training at the KAW.

"Education and defensive tactics in war are the key to helping our nation stand on its own feet," said Wali. "If our soldiers are not educated, how can they help others? If they cannot see, how can they guide others?"

The KAW deputy commander, Col. Muhammad Israeli, reiterated the importance of education in building the corps' capabilities. Every soldier, he said, has a daily, weekly, and monthly education plan designed to increase job proficiency. Topics include search and seizure, airport security and downed aircraft recovery.

The KAW looks to continue its professional training through its partnership with the newly arrived Task Force Falcon. Together, they will pursue missions in ground maintenance, medical evacuation, Wing Operation Center proficiency and pilot training in southern Afghanistan, with emphasis on the KAW's mobility, independence and self-sufficiency.

More than two decades of war saw the destruction of an Afghan air force once numbering upwards of 500 aircraft and 7,000 personnel. Brigadier General Azam, who witnessed much of this conflict first hand, said that since the renaissance of Afghan aviation operations in 2005, the air force, and the Kandahar Air Wing with it, is on its own two feet again.

"Our people are tired of wars which took everything from them -- families, friends, and their will to survive," said Azam. "It's my hope that with the help of our [International Security Assistance Force] friends, we can once again have peace."

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