A 319th Special Operations Squadron (319 SOS) U-28A Spectre at one of the platforms of Kandahar airfield.

The U-28A is the premier Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The Command uses 35 such aircraft from Cannon AFB (NM) , Duke Field (FL) and Hurlburt Field (FL). The aircraft was named within the USAF as "Spectre", but since its first deployments to Afghanistan in 2006, the aircrew nicknamed it as the "Draco". This nickname was officialy approved by the USAF since May 2019.

Aircraft possibly assigned to Asia Airways when this picture was made.

This 03-03730 is a rebuilt CH-47D, once serialled 85-24355. That's the reason the aircraft has two c/n's assigned, M3730/M3125. The helicopter belongs to the 3-160th SOAR, normally based at Fort Campbell (KY)

A Special Operations Chinook of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), or 3-160th SOAR, based at Fort Campbell (KY) seen during a hover test flight over deployment location Kandahar (Afghanistan).

The MH-47 Special Operations Chinook is the primary heavy lift transport helicopter for the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment "Nightstalkers". The MH-47G differs from its CH-47 sister models by its black color scheme and its incorporation of combat systems and a refueling probe designed to make the helicopter more survivable on missions deep in enemy territory (and during nighttime).

A USAF Special Operation Command (SOCOM) PC-12, designated U-28A, leaving Kandahar for another secretive mission. The 319th Special Operations Squadron was operating this aircraft at the moment of the deployment.

The 1st Netherlands Air Task Force International Security Assistance Force (1(NLD)ATF ISAF used F-16AMs over Afghanistan during their operations against the Taliban. This 323sq F-16AM received an unusual green ISAF badge. It served as the back ground for a detachment crew photo at Kandahar.

The 1st Netherlands Air Task Force International Security Assistance Force (1(NLD)ATF ISAF used F-16AMs over Afghanistan during their operations against the Taliban. Retracting gear quickly, stay low, build-up speed, and at the end of the runway make an unexpected move so the enemy is giving a tough time in aiming weapons on this fully loaded Falcon Sometimes the pilot decides to go straight ahead, sometimes they make a low level left or right turn, but they rarely go ballistic as it was then too easy for a Taliban with a MANPADS or AAA to make a lock. This heavily armed Falcon banked right.

This former Trans World Airlines (N959U, from July 1988) and American Airlines (N959U, from December 2001) is seen during take-off from Kandahar. Weird to see such a sleek civil colourful aircraft taking off from a war location, where camouflaged jet fighters, helicopters and unmanned aerial systems, often fully armed, are operating from the same runway. The MD82 started flying with Kam Air from September 2008. Since September 2017, the aircraft is reported withdrawn from use. Since that month it is in use at an amusement park in Kabul city.

Just in time to picture it... an unmarked IL-76TD, possible owned by Eastern Express at the time of its visit to Kandahar.

All white Candid of a company named ZetAvia. So many Russian transports arrived at Kandahar those days.

This former US Army Huey (ex 67-17200) was registered to the US Department of State on 8 Feb 2008 as N325SD (not visibly carried), and cancelled 5 Nov 2022. Since January 2018, the DoS Air Wing is officially named Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs' Office of Aviation, or INL/A. The INL/A has over 200 aircraft and helicopters on strength, making it one of the largest non-military aviation arms in a US federal government agency.

This former US Army Huey (ex 72-21628) was registered to the US Department of State on 7 Dec 2006 as N8230Q (not visibly carried), and still current as such by 2023. The Department's aircraft can be used for many types of missions, which vary by location. These may include (armed) drug eradication, interdiction, reconnaissance, surveillance, command and control, medical evacuation, transportation of personnel or cargo.