US general defends Afghan Mi-17 capability
The Pentagon’s ongoing investment in Russian-built Mi-17 transport helicopters for the Afghan Air Force (AAF) is beginning to pay off, according to one US general recently returned from Bagram Air Force Base.
Speaking to journalists at the Pentagon on 14 August, Maj Gen James McConville, commanding general of the US Army 101st Airborne Division, said the AAF was becoming increasing competent in its deployment of the Mi-17.
‘What we're seeing over the last six months is some significant progress. When we first came here, [the AAF] were just starting to do re-supply operations with their helicopters, and did not have
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