Watch live fire drills from Afghanistan's fledgling air force

Advertisement

Advertisement
Screen Shot 2016 05 09 at 11.03.31 AM

AiirSource Military

An Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano fires off a missile during a live fire drill with US trainers.

It was just a few months ago that the first A-29 Super Tucanos touched down in Afghanistan, and a new video of live fire drills gives us a rare look at the Afghan pilot's progress since then. 

As part of NATO's Operation Resolute Support to provide support and security to the Afghan National Government in the face resurgent terrorist groups like the Taliban and Al Qaeda, the US has provided A-29 light air support planes to the fledgling Afghan Air Force.

Throughout the video, you can hear US Air Force trainers instructing the Afghan pilots.

The A-29s in the video are firing off rockets, as well as the .50 calibre guns.

The A-29s sent to Afghanistan are US made, designed specifically for counter insurgency and are super versatile. 

Advertisement

The planes have five hardpoints on each wing and can carry up to 3,300 pounds of additional ordinance, like AIM-9X missiles, rocket pods, 20 mm cannons, smart freefall bombs, and even air-to-air missiles, according to IHS Jane's.

Watch the full video below (the firing starts at around the 3:10 mark):

NOW WATCH: The US Army is sending Apache attack helicopters to fight ISIS in Iraq