Air Force C-130s support Afghan army deployment

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ann Bennett
  • Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules airlifted troops and supplies Aug. 15 and 16 supporting the deployment of several Afghan battalions to respond to factional fighting which started Aug. 14 in the Shindand area of the country.

At the request of Afghan officials, forces from the coalition and international security assistance force are assisting the soldiers as they retake control of national government property and ensure order is restored to the area.

Seven U.S. Air Force C-130s and one Portuguese C-130 moved 440 Afghan soldiers, 29 U.S. embedded training team advisers and eight Afghan interpreters from Kabul International Airport to Shindand National Airport on Aug. 15. Two other Air Force C-130s flew supplies from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to Shindand.

Airlift missions continued Aug. 16 as the coalition assisted moving the remainder of the troops, as well as moving about 140 Afghan national police to provide law enforcement for the city.

The U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft and crews participating in this mission are mostly from Air National Guard units, with a few from active-duty units from throughout the United States.

Armed gunmen belonging to local militia commanders carried out a series of attacks on the Shindand airport and surrounding area Aug. 14. The Afghan soldiers have since regained control of the Shindand airport and garrison facilities and are ensuring order is restored to the area.

“These attacks jeopardized the safety and security of the Afghan people and necessitated a rapid response from the national government,” said Army Maj. Scott Nelson, the Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan spokesperson. “The national government of Afghanistan reacted promptly to these criminal acts and moved to restore order in less than 24 hours, a response that demonstrates the continued growth of the national government’s capabilities.”