October 10, 2021. "The Afghan Air Force: A Harsh Lesson in the Expensive Game of Airpower Reconstruction", by Alexander Smith, Small Wars Journal.

November 11, 2019. "US Provided $7.B to Afghan Air Force Since 2010: SIGAR", Tolo News.

January 10, 2019. "The U.S. Spent $8 Billion on Afghanistan' Air Force. It's Still Struggling", by David Zucchino, The New York Times.

January 11, 2018. "Afghan Air Force must start maintaining its own aircraft, report says", Military Times. Kyle Rempfer writes about the recent DoD IG report about maintenance within the AAF.

January 6, 2018. "Pentagon Watchdog Sharply Critical of Afghan Air Force Reform Efforts", Radio Free Europe. The 76-page report states there are gaps in training, support, and a lack of an overarching strategy that has left coalition advisors insufficiently prepared.

January 5, 2018. "Pentagon Watchdog Slams U.S.-Backed Efforts to Expand the Afghan Air Force", The WarZone.

August 21, 2017. "Building the Afghan Air Force Will Take Years", Foreign Policy. Will the Afghans ever be able to take over from U.S. forces?

August 19, 2017. "Afghan Air Force exceeding expectations", Resolute Support. A feel-good report by RS HQs on how the Afghan Air Force is progressing.

July 25, 2017. "U.S. Moves to Help Fledgling Afghan Air Force", Gandhara Blog. A four-year $7 billion expansion plan is aimed at training more flight and maintenance crews and increasing the number of Afghan Air Force aircrafts.

July 23, 2017. "As U.S. weighs Afghan strategy, hopes set on fledgling Air Force", Reuters.

December 7, 2016. "An Afghan woman goes from refugee to military pilot", Miltary Times.

September 13, 2016. "The Fallacious Claim of Lacking Air Support in Afghanistan", by Franz J. Marty, The National Interest. A freelance journalist in Afghanistan says the ANDSF should

August 16, 2016. "Afghan air force needs more pilots, as well as more planes", by Josh Smith and Mirwais Harooni, Reuters. Article about the current state of the Afghan Air Force.

June 26, 2016. "Afghan air force has come a long way", DIVDS. Article about the progress the AAF has made in flying the C-130H cargo aircraft.

April 23, 2016. "C-130s increase Afghanistan's mobility capability", Khaama Press.

April 22, 2016. "Vital Afghan AF support continues", Robins Air Force Base.

April 14, 2016. "Afghanistan: Will the Afghan Air Force Make a Difference in the 2016 Fighting Season?", by Franz-Stefan Gady, The Diplomat.

April 10, 2016. "Unsanitary conditions at Afghan Air University may damage morale, IG says", Air Force Times.

March 26, 2016. "20 Afghan military students sent to US for aviation training", Khaama Press. To receive training on A-29 and C-130.

December 31, 2015. "Air Power Could Turn Tide in Favor of Afgfan Forces in 2016", Voice of America.

December 22, 2015. "Mi 25 attack helicopter gifted by India to Afghanistan reaches Kabul, 3 more to follow". The Economic Times.

October 2, 2015. "Force Management Airmen shape Afghan Air Force for fighting season 2016." DVIDS. MSgts Neal Harris and Andrea Brown describe their jobs with TAAC-Air.

September 27, 2015. "U.S. Struggling in Its Effort to Build an Afghan Air Force". The New York Times. The Afghans are not happy about American efforts to build the AAF.

September 26, 2015. "Afghanistan's airmen on track to assume key role in war, US advisors say". Stars and Stripes.

September 3, 2015. "Afghan Air Force Hailed for Creative Operations Despite Shortfalls", Khaama Press.

August 20, 2015. "Afghan Air Force trains to develop vehicle maintenance master instructors". DVIDS. The focus of the article is the TAAC-Air Vehicle Maintenance Training Program.

June 22, 2015. "Fourth C-130 touches down in Kabul, expands Afghan Air Force capabilities". DVIDS.

May 15, 2015. "Afghan air control struggling to run on its own". Stars & Stripes. After more than $500 million in aid and years of training efforts by American agenices, Afghanistan's civilian air traffic control system is still not ready.

May 6, 2015. "US due to stop managing Afghan airspace by end of June". Yahoo! News.The U.S. has a contract the ends in June to manage Afghan airspace - paid for by the international community. Kabul is reluctant to take over responsiblity for its own airspace or to put a new contract in place - paid for from its own budget. The Afghan Civil Aviation Authority is hoping that Japan will fund $25 million to bridge the gap to the end of 2015.

April 24, 2015. "Afghan Air Force recieves 3 mulit-role helicopters from India". Khaama Press. The three Cheetal helicopters were accepted after trials in April 2015.

March 26, 2015. "Afghans want U.S. to speed up training of Afghan air force". Air Force Times. The Afghans have requested training and equipping to be accelerated.

March 24, 2015. "Why the US Wants to Forget About Female Afghan Pilots". Sunny in Kabul. Behind the scenes there is a back story on unsuccessful attempts to get women integrated into pilot training in the AAF. This is indicative of efforts across the board in the ANSF.

March 10, 2015. "Afghan Air force braces for Fighting Season '15", U.S. Afghan Air Forces Central Command. This article says that the AAF is ready to provide support to the Afghan National Army and police. A fluff piece that puts the AAF in a good light; but doesn't really call out the capability gaps of the AAF.

March 10, 2105. "Afghan Air force runs on maintenance". U.S. Air Forces Central Command. The article highlights the work that maintenance crews do to keep the Mi-17 helicopter flying.

January 25, 2015. "Afghan air force acent slow, imperiling battle with Taliban". Reuters.

January 10, 2015. "From resupply to evacs, Afghan air support assumes growing role". Stars and Stripes.

January 7, 2015. "Kabul Afghan Airmen complete FAST training". U.S. Air Force. Members of the Kabul Air Wing Fly-Away Security Team received the training.

December 29, 2014. "Learning to fly in a war zone". Blue Force Tracker.

December 28, 2014. "U.S. airstrikes remain crucial to Afghan forces in Taliban battles". Los Angeles Times.

November 3, 2014. "Russia Delivers Last of U.S.-bought Helicopters to Afghan Military". DoD Buzz. The number of Mi-17s in the AAF now is 87.

October 30, 2014. "Warplanes: Fixing the Afghan Air Force". Strategy Page.

October 26, 2014. "NATO promises Afghans air support after 2014 as it shuts key base". Stars and Stripes. A heavy fighting season and loss of three districts prompts a reversal.

October 9, 2014. "U.S. Air Force probed for Scrapping Costly Planes Bought for Afghans". The New York Times. The C-27A controversy just gets worse; A $486 million aircraft program sells off 16 aircraft for just 6 cents a lb.; or for a total of $32,000.

October 5, 2014. "Mustering the air power for Afghanistan". Defense Update. This article provides a recap of the AAF capabilities, number of airframes, and problem areas.

October 1, 2014. "Too Little, Too Late: AAF Gets Its First Tucano". Sunny in Kabul.

August 25, 2014. "Congress Keeps U.S. Base Open by Inviting Afghans to Drop Bombs on it". Gawker.com. Afghan pilots to train at Moody Air Force Base.

August 25, 2014. "Afghan pilots to train at US air base, giving base new mission". Stars and Stripes. To be trained on the A-29 Super Tucano Light Air Support plane. 20 Afghan pilots and 90 maintenance personnel will be the first training rotation.

August 12, 2014. "U.S. Army Paid Too Much Upgrading Russian Copters". Bloomberg.

July 29, 2014. "Procurement: Russia Still Delivers Despite Bad Behavior". Strategy Page. An article about the Mi-17 procurement program for the AAF.

July 22, 2014. "Russian arms deal divides Congress". The Hill Defense Blog.

July 17, 2014. "Dunford urges Congress to approve Russian helicopter deal for Afghan air force". Stars and Stripes.

July 16, 2014. "Gift Horses: Afghanistan's C-130 Fleet". Defense Industry Daily.

June 11, 2014. "Trainers scramble to ready fledgling Afghan air force". Stars & Stripes. Article mentions the C-27J transport plane debacle.

April 18, 2014. "Top Air Force NCO hails Afghan air force ops during elections". Stars and Stripes.

March 25, 2014. "The Afghan Air Force: Ready to Fly Solo?" Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

March 19, 2014. "U.S. lawmakers urge end to Pentagon contracts with Russian firm". Chicago Tribune. At the heard of the matter is the export of Russian Mi-17s to Afghanistan.

March 2, 2014. "Flying after 2014: Which aircraft for the Afghan Air Force?" By Gary Owen for the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

December 7, 2013. "Report: Lawmakers question merits of U.S.-Russia helicopter deal". The Hill Blog. Lawmakers say they were misled by the Pentagon . . . of course these same lawmakers come from congressional districts that have helicopter-associated manufacturers . . . politics interfering with the business of war as usual.

November 14, 2013. "CT pols cheer Pentagon cancellation of Russian copter contract". Hartford Business. The Connecticut politicians and Sirkorsky won a big one. Of course it sets back the Afghan Air Force's growth and capability in a huge way. Score one for the self-interest of Connecticut politicians and put the future of the AAF into doubt on this shallow victory by miss-guided and self-interested CT politicians.

October 9, 2013. "Afghans take delivery of US transport planes". Boston.com. Another C-130 arrives in Kabul; bringing a total of two C-130s for the AAF. Two more to be delivered this spring. The C-130s will replace a fleet of new C27As that are now not in use because of Afghan corruption and maintenance issues.

September 26, 2013. "Afghan Little Bird helo destroyed by IED". IHS Janes.com. The AAF MD 530F inventory is now down to five.

September 25, 2013. "New aircraft arrive for Afghan air force". DVIDS. Three new Mi-17s are delivered to Kabul via a Russian Antonov An-124.

September 25, 2013. "First all-Afghan trained gunner graduates". DVIDS.

September 20, 2013. "ISAF Air Training Commander Describes 'Delicate Balance'." American Forces Press Service.

September 19, 2013. "Afghan Air Force Flourishing, ISAF Official Says". American Forces Press Service. "Flourishing"? Really? Bear in mind it is a DoD news release.

September 12, 2013. "Afghan pilots fly first fixed wing combat mission". DVIDS. Afghan pilots flew the 373rd Fixed Wing Squadron's first C-208 combat mission by an all Afghan crew.

September 8, 2013. "Airmen help build Afghan Air Force: Focus is moving wounded troops to hospital". Air Force Times. An informative article about the efforts to have the C-208 carrying wounded to hospitals.

September 7, 2013. "There is No Wild Blue Yonder for the AAF". Registan.com. A blogger provides some background on the AAF, disputes ISAF's claims of progress, and worries about an air support capability gap as ISAF pulls back on providing air support to the Afghans.

September 2013. "Golden Hammer: Army wing office buy doesn't fly for waster watchers". The Washington Times. NSRWA office under investigation for waste and fraud in contract process for Mi-17's for Afghan Air Force.

August 29, 2013. "Pentagon opens criminal probe of Russian helicopter deals". Reuters.

August 9, 2013. "Global Insider: NATO Taking Away the Air Force Afghanistan Has Come to Rely On". World Politics Review. An analyst and development worker in Afghanistan provides insight into the problems the AAF has in providing close air support, air medical evacuation, and logistics support.

August 8, 2013. "AAF provides close-air support in historical combat mission". DVIDS. One of the largest Afghan missions of the war, Operation Seemorgh, involved the use of Afghan Mi-17s and Mi-35s. The goal of the operation was to clear Azrah district.

August 7, 2013. "Hagel and Kerry Urged to Cut off Russian Helicopter Contract". Human Rights First. Article criticizes the contract with Rosoboronexport.

August 5, 2013. "Afghan AF Disarray Threatens Senate Funding OK". Aviation Week.

July 30, 2013. "Senate Panel Cuts Funding for Super Tocanos". Aviation Week.

July 25, 2013. "Congressional Hawks Divided Over Russian Helicopters". Free Beacon. Some in Congress say the contract with Rosoboronexport rewards Russia despite its support of Syria regime and sheltering of Snowdon (NSA leaker); others point to the Mi-17 being less expensive, requiring less training, Afghan's past history with Mi-17s, and the Mi-17's ability to operate high in Afghanistan's mountains.

July 23, 2013. "Mi-17 Helicopters: The Best Choice for the Afghan Air Force and the U.S. Taxpayer". By Luke Coffey, The Heritage Foundation.

July 11, 2013. "Another Post-2014 Capability Gap: Spin and reality of the Afghan air force's readiness". By Gary Owen for Afghanistan Analysts Network.

June 18, 2013. "US DoD orders additional Mi-17 helicopters from Rosoboronexport". Army-Technology.com. The Mi-17 is an export model of the Mi-8 Hip.

June 15, 2013. "Afghans learning how to fight without NATO airpower". Air Force Times.

May 31, 2013. "Afghan airmen gain new airpower capability". USAF.  ANSF now have a Mi-35 HIND attack helicopter capability.

May 27, 2013. "Afghan Air Force Struggles to Take Off". Radio Free Europe.

May 26, 2013. "Air assault, the Afghan way". Army.mil. ANA and AUP from FOB Connelly air assault into village of Hesarak, Nangarhar province in May 2013.

May 24, 2013. "Afghan air force improves casualty evacuation capability". U.S. Air Force. A 'good news' story that may not provide the whole story.

May 21, 2013. "Afghanistan will receive an additional 12 Russian Mi-17 helicopters in 2013 from the US". Defense Updates Blog.

May 17, 2013. "Flying with the Afghan Air Force". The Washington Times.

May 14, 2013. "Afghan Air Force graduates first female pilot in 30 years". The Washington Times.

May 14, 2013. "AAF Air University takes dynamic formal stride". NTM-A.

May 13, 2013. "Afghan AF rises to combat test". U.S. Air Force. Story highlights achievements of the Mi-17 helicopter fleet in Afghan Air Force.

May 9, 2013. "In the air today: Afghan air force developing its capabilities". The Washington Times. Article focuses on training at Shindand Air Base.

April 30, 2013. "Program building a self-sufficient Afghan Air Force". Army.mil.

April 23, 2013. "NATO-Russia Council expands support to Afghan Air Force". NATO. New agreement will provide for more trained technicians for the Afghan Air Force.

April 4, 2013. "Sorry Congress, Defense Dept Sticking With Russian Helicopter Deal". Forbes.com. Defense to go ahead with buying 30 Mi-17 helicopters for AAF.

December 30, 2012. "New airframe adds strike capability to Afghan air force". ISAF. Twenty A-29super Tucano light air support aircraft will be provided to the AAF.

December 28, 2012. "US Scraps Afghan Cargo Plane Fleet". Military.com. The entire fleet of Italian-made C27A cargo planes are scrapped due to poor maintenance and lack of spare parts.

July 24, 2012. "U.S. Builds Afghan Air Base, but Where are the Planes?". WSJ.

May 25, 2012. "Maintenance Snafu Grounds Afghan Fleet". WSJ. $275 million dollars worth of aircraft not being used by Afghan Air Force.

November 24, 2011. "Afghan air force receives first of six Cessna 208Bs". USAF Central Command. The Cessnas will be used for undergraduate pilot training at Shindand AB.

November 1, 2011. "C-208B Roadshow comes to Kabul". U.S. Air Forces Central Command.

August 24, 2009. "Afghan National Army Air Corp (ANAAC) Order of Battle Update: August 2009". The Long War Journal.