A giant leaving Kandahar. It's incredible that these huge and slow moving helicopters could survive in a high threat environment of Afghanistan. This Mi-26T was delivered to Rosvertol in Nov'92 and was transferred to Atruvera on 11 Jul'01. Moved to Vertikal-T in Mar'03, and then served the United Nations in DRC as UN-834 from Nov'05 to Jul'06. Returned to Vertikal-T in Feb'07 and was leased to DynCorp when it flew over Afghanistan up to late 2010. stored at Tver. Sold to Abakan Air on 3 Sep'20. Then became EX-06001 with MAK KG in Mar'23. Returned to Abakan Air in Jun'23.

A giant on the northern platform of Kandahar. It's incredible that these huge and slow moving helicopters could survive in a high threat environment of Afghanistan. There were fighter jets are manoeuvring at low level to the max to prevent being shot by Taliban, these Mi-26s are just a sitting duck and just fly...

In the heatwaves of Kandahar, a Vertical-T Mi-8 is executing a landing at Kandahar.

A huge number of civil helicopters operated out of Kandahar airfield. Mainly Mi-8s, but also S-92, S-61, AW139, Bell 214s were seen.