Although very white, this Metro was operated by Blackwater in 2008. The Metro started its career as N3013L with Fairchild Aircraft Corp in Jan'93, and carried XA-SHE with Aeroponiente-Aerovías de Poniente since Mar'93 and with AeroLitoral since May'95. Its dark career started in Jan'03 as N821JB with Lambert Leasing Inc and was assigned to Horizon Airlines that did not excist. Since Oct'04 is was registered N821JB with Presidential Airways and N955BW with again Presidential Airways since May'05 and N955BW with AAR Airlift since Nov'10. The registration was cancelled on 20 Apr'17 with the current whereabouts unknown.

Kabul activity

An Il-76TD wih a long history, its career started in '92 as CCCP-76401 with AFL/Ulyanovsk, then RA-76401 with Aeroflot, Heavylift, Heavylift, this shown Atlant-Soyuz, followed by Russkoye Nebo, leased to the United Nations,, followed by Phoenix Avia (as EK-76401), Veteran Avia, Grixona (as ER-IAK), Oscar Jet (ER-IAZ), Yevropa Air (as UR-CRN) and up to date with Fly Sky Airlines (first as UR-CRN and currently as UR-FSC).

A nice Apache that gave armed support to two Blackhawks. The attack helicopter was delivered early 1992 to the 1-183rd AVN of the Idaho Army National Guard. It continued with this ArNG until late 2008. The Alpha was modified to Delta as 09-05673.

A Soviet Air Force An-12 that became RA-11317 with Aeroflot. The Antonov flew with Balkan as LZ-BAH from Jan'00 and was sold three years later in Nov'03 to Heli Air Cargo (Heli ?? :-) as LZ-CBH. The An-12 was leased to the UN from Oct'05 and was seen in Khartoum, still with the CBH registration. Then, in Jan'06 the BP went back to Heli Air, kept its white colours and received the name 'Melnik' (MEAHNK). It was transferred to Air Victory as 4L-VAL from May'08 and leased to Air Eagle. Eventually, it was seen dumped at N'Djamena (Chad) from Apr'12.

This BBJ belonged to the 65th AS

This Blackhawk most probably belonged to the 2-10th AVN

A Blackhawk of most probably 2-10th AVN

A 1982 Mi-8T, delivered as CCCP-25311 to AFL/Kazakhstan-GUW. Reregistered into UN-25311 in the ninetees and transferred to Kazakhstan aue zh. The helicopter was then sold to Euro-Asia Air in July 1997. It was first noted with the Kazakh company Beibarys - in this striking colour scheme - in December 2005, when this picture was taken. The helicopter was reregistered again in June 2008 into UP-MI840.

Several unmarked Mi-8s flew secretive missions over Afghanistan. The helicopters were parked on an isolated platform. Personnel nearby were often very cagey in their behaviour. But sometimes... the helicopters were parked alone, the moment for a picture taken from a passing car... The small HIP fleet was linked to the Blackwater, an American private military company.

This is a former Soviet AF An-12B (NATO reporting name CUB) as CCCP-11521 that entered service in the late 60s. The B was reported as 75 red in '96. First noted as a civil An-12 with Georgian Express as RA-11368. In Jan'97 reported with Antey with the same regi. In Feb'07 the B became a BP as LZ-ITB with Inter Trans Air, LZ-BRA with Bright Avn Service in Dec'01, EK-12333 with Bright but operated by Phoenix Avn in Feb'04. First noted as EX-031 in Sep'04, still with Bright/Phoenix. In Mar'06 reported with Click, in the summer'07 as EY-031 with Click and last reported with Asia Airways in '09.

PACTEC International multiplies the effectiveness of other humanitarian organizations and government agencies by overcoming communications and transportation barriers. They support the NGOs with additional aircraft / transport capacity. In Afghanistan, roads and communications systems are slowly being rebuilt. However, with constant threats to security, land travel is not only onerous and difficult, but can delay or hinder the work of humanitarian volunteers. So aircraft like this Beech are used for logistical flights.

Like many civil An-12s, this is also a former Soviet AF aircraft, entered service in '79 as CCCP-11132 and was transferred, possibly in the late 90's, early 00's as ST-SAD to Sarit Airlines. When this picture was taken, the An-12 flew with - according to the papers noticed in the cockpit - South Airlines Cargo, although only "Cargo" titels and its regi were carried. The c/n was also confirmed at Kabul. Later on, in May'08 the BP was sold to Taron Avia, and kept its registration. It was again sold in Jun'09 to Canair Congo and continued as EK-11132. Regi cancelled in Mar'10. Current status?

Like many civil An-12s, this is also a former Soviet AF aircraft, entered service in '79 as CCCP-11132 and was transferred, possibly in the late 90's, early 00's as ST-SAD to Sarit Airlines. When this picture was taken, the An-12 flew with - according to the papers noticed in the cockpit - South Airlines Cargo, although only "Cargo" titels and its regi were carried. The c/n was also confirmed at Kabul. Later on, in May'08 the BP was sold to Taron Avia, and kept its registration. It was again sold in Jun'09 to Canair Congo and continued as EK-11132. Regi cancelled in Mar'10. Current status?

A component of the German Transalls was dedicated to special operations support, these machines being fitted with modernized flight system / navigation avionics, and cockpits compatible with night vision goggles (NVGs). These aircraft - reportedly some 24 - received an external modification on the side of the fuselage just in front of the wings. The EloKa self-defense system was developed to enhance the Transall's self-protection capabilities during missions flown in support of the German ISAF Troops operating in Afghanistan.

Hercules C4 of the Lyneham Transport Wing (LTW). Although uploaded several times to AirHistory, not one was uploaded in the grey colour scheme, so it's a welcome addition to the archives.

This Chinook belonged to the 1-160th SOAR. 350 is former CH-47B 66-19060 that was converted to CH-47D 85-24350 and later on CH-47F 09-08068.

1st AS

Most probably assigned to 2-10th AVN at the time this picture was made.