An Mi-17 helicopter from the Kandahar Air Wing and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade await proper loading procedures training from Afghan and Coalition Forces during an air assault re...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army and police officers from Panjwa'i Afghan National Police await proper loading procedures training from Kandahar Air Wing and Coalition Forces during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base S...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja, Afg...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with guidance from Gen. Habibi, 205th Corps Commander, in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja, Afg...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja, Afg...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with guidance from Gen. Habibi, 205th Corps Commander, in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with guidance from Gen. Habibi, 205th Corps Commander, in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja, Afg...

Private Momeen, a soldier with the 6th KANDAC, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army, conducts proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on...

Sergeant Allahdin, 6th KANDAC, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army pulls security while conducting proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehear...

Mohammad, a police officer with Panjwa'i Afghan National Police, exits an Mi-17 helicopter while conducting proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air ass...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja, Afg...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forward Operating Base Shoja, Afg...

Soldiers from 205th Corps, Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police conduct proper loading procedures training with Kandahar Air Wing crews and Coalition Forces in preparation for an upcmoming mission during an air assault rehearsal on Forwar...

Soldiers from C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th IN Division, are dropped off by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, for an air assault ope...

"Every step went well," said Maj. Judah Lyons, 25th CAB Plans Officer. "They executed the mission proficiently and demonstrated professionalism during the operation."

The air assault consisted of a total of 60 ANA soldiers and ANP officers requiring two separate assaults to be made on two different landing zones.

"I am very happy to have conducted a successful operation," said Capt. Nazar Aziz, a pilot with the Afghan Air Wing, Afghan Air Force. "One of the things that allowed for us to be successful was the good communication between the ground-to-air and between the helicopters."

Communication was a critical factor in the success of the mission. The communication between all parties involved allowed for the operation to run smoother which was important considering the increased amount of soldiers, police officers and landing zones involved.

The air assault is the 3rd to be executed since the KAW and 25th CAB began working together in early January. Solid progress has been made since the last air assault where the KAW dropped off one group of 20 ANA soldiers. In this operation, aircrews inserted three times more troops onto the battlefield from the last air assault.

"This is the most complex air assault they have done to date which shows definite progress in the right direction," said Lyons.

More air assaults are planned between the KAW and 25th CAB with each one allowing the Afghan Air Wing to progress with taking a stronger lead while the CAB continues to transition from assisting to watching.

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