The Coalition Air Advisory Mission In Afghanistan 2005-2015: History Of Military

In the vast landscape of Afghanistan, from 2005 to 2015, a pivotal military operation known as the Coalition Air Advisory Mission took place. This mission marked a significant period in the history of military operations in Afghanistan, and its impact and implications are still being revered today.

The Origins of the Coalition Air Advisory Mission

The Coalition Air Advisory Mission stemmed from the need for an organized and strategic approach to confronting the challenges posed by insurgency groups in Afghanistan. In 2005, the coalition forces recognized the importance of air support in their efforts to counter the growing influence of these groups.

The mission aimed to train and advise the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan Air Force (AAF) to develop their capabilities in conducting air operations independently. In collaboration with the Afghan government, the coalition forces devised a comprehensive plan to provide expertise, resources, and assistance to build a sustainable and effective airpower infrastructure.

Flight Risk: The Coalition's Air Advisory Mission in Afghanistan, 2005–2015 (History of Military Aviation)

by Forrest L. Marion(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8672 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	374 pages

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Key Objectives and Achievements of the Coalition Air Advisory Mission

The Coalition Air Advisory Mission pursued several key objectives to ensure the success of its mission:

• Enhancing the capabilities of ANA and AAF air units through specialized training programs
• Improving logistics, maintenance, and sustainment systems
• Strengthening operational planning and coordination
• Supporting the development of a robust air traffic control system
• Promoting interoperability between coalition forces and Afghan air units
• Facilitating the transfer of modernized aircraft and equipment to the Afghan forces

Over the course of a decade, the Coalition Air Advisory Mission achieved remarkable successes in these areas. The Afghan air units made significant strides in their ability to plan, execute, and sustain air operations effectively. The establishment of a well-functioning air traffic control system and the increased interoperability between coalition and Afghan forces were instrumental in achieving these milestones.

Impact on Security and Stability in Afghanistan

The Coalition Air Advisory Mission played a pivotal role in enhancing the security and stability of Afghanistan during the period from 2005 to 2015. By enabling the Afghan forces to effectively counter insurgency groups, the mission significantly contributed to the overall efforts to bring peace and stability to the country.

The increased capabilities of the Afghan air units also had a substantial psychological impact on the insurgent groups. The ability of the Afghan forces to respond swiftly and decisively to insurgent attacks considerably weakened the morale and operational effectiveness of these groups.

Moreover, the Coalition Air Advisory Mission's emphasis on creating a sustainable and self-sufficient airpower infrastructure ensured that the Afghan forces could continue to maintain control over their airspace and protect their sovereignty even after the end of the mission.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

The Coalition Air Advisory Mission left behind a lasting legacy in Afghanistan. The experience gained and the capabilities developed during this mission continue to shape the modern Afghan air forces.

Lessons learned from the mission serve as valuable insights for future military operations in similar contexts. The importance of holistic planning, comprehensive training programs, and a collaborative approach between coalition forces and local government institutions cannot be overstated.

Furthermore, the success of the Coalition Air Advisory Mission exemplifies the significance of investing in the development of indigenous military capabilities. By empowering local forces, sustainable security and stability can be achieved, with long-term effectiveness.

The Coalition Air Advisory Mission in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2015 marked a significant chapter in the history of military operations. By providing training, expertise, and resources, the mission helped the Afghan forces develop their airpower capabilities, leading to enhanced security, stability, and sovereignty.

The lessons learned from this vital mission continue to reverberate, reminding us of the importance of comprehensive planning, collaborative partnerships, and the empowerment of indigenous forces to achieve long-lasting security outcomes.

Flight Risk: The Coalition's Air Advisory Mission in Afghanistan, 2005–2015 (History of Military Aviation)

by Forrest L. Marion(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8672 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	374 pages

FREE

After 2005, the United States and coalition partners led an air advisory campaign to rebuild the Afghan Air Force (AAF). From the 1920s Afghanistan maintained a smallish air arm that depended heavily upon outside assistance. After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, the 1990s witnessed the splintering of Afghan air power among mujahideen groups, and in 2001 U.S. air power neutralized what remained of Afghan air assets. By 2005, U.S.-coalition rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan included the AAF and in 2007 a formal joint / combined entity, led by a U.S. Air Force brigadier general, began air advisor work with Afghan airmen. The AAF expected to grow to 8,000 personnel and 150 aircraft by 2016. Between 2007 and 2011, air advising efforts made modest progress in terms of infrastructures, personnel and aircraft accessions, and various training courses. But by 2010, advisors increasingly viewed AAF command and control (C2) as a problem area that required significant improvement if a professional air force was to be built. In the spring of 2011, major institutional changes to AAF C2 procedures were being introduced when nine U.S. air advisors were killed. The attack was the worst single-incident loss of U.S. Air Force personnel in a deployed location since 1996 and the worst insider-attack since 2001. The post-attack investigation failed to uncover evidence of organized corruption contributing to the attack despite the well-known presence of a Criminal Patronage Network as well as certain power brokers within the AAF itself (all unacknowledged in the original report). The investigation was the victim of command pressure at the U.S. three-star level. From mid-2011 through 2015, air advisors focused on force protection as well as teaching English, training Afghan airmen, and adjusting U.S.-coalition plans to a shifting AAF inventory. As time wore on, the cultural chasm between Afghanistan and the West became more apparent, highlighted by Afghan senior leaders' traditional practice of personal-based C2 through the use of their cell-phones to re-task most AAF aircraft sorties (especially Mi-17s) outside of established procedures and C2 entities. Many sorties were invisible to the air advisors, and others were suspected of transporting illicit goods. Under such circumstances, flying training sorties of AAF aviators failed to keep pace with the air campaign plan. In short, culturally informed ways of doing business precluded AAF professionalization. As of 2015, the dilemma continued with no end in sight to an air advisory mission of uncertain long-term value.