It’s official: the Afghan National Army Air Corps is now called the Afghan National Army Air Force. “This is another step forward in response to Afghanistan’s air power growth,” stated officials with the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, the USAF organization involved in training and mentoring the fledgling Afghan air arm, on Monday. They continued, “The ANAAF will play an increasing role in Afghanistan’s defense, and will require independent authority to ensure the best use of scarce national aviation resources.” Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued an order creating the air force. (Kabul report by Capt. Robert Leese)
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.