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.

This 39(1PRU)sq Canberra was deployed for a short period to Afghanistan for mapping. It was quite rare to see this aircraft in a combat zone. Here the aircraft is being maintained at the military handling platform of Kabul.

Registration not visibly carried, but c/n 30786 was noted through the cockpit windows. P2-PAX was also seen at Kandahar in Aug 2005, and made several flights between January and March 2006. Had been withdrawn from use by Jun 2013, possibly much earlier.

Boeing of the 1st Airlift Squadron

Originally built for the Iraqi Army in 1990, but not delivered. Became CCCP-29112 with MAP Rosverto and served the UN as UN-950 from Sep 1992. In Nov 1995 transferred to Rostvertol as RA-29112. Damaged while on a positioning flight to Somalia when a part of a main rotor blade came off in-flight(!) near Trabzon, Turkey on 31 Dec 1993. Repaired and entered the Vertical-T fleet in Jan 2006. Seen here with cyrillic "Вертикаль-T" (=Vertical-T) titles on the nose. Sadly this Mi-26 crashed on 2 Dec 2006 near Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan, Afghanistan.

The Spanish Army deployed several Cougars to Afghanistan in support of ISAF. The helicopters arrived at Kabul, were assembled there and continued their deployment in Herat.

Only a few months before this picture was taken, this Mi-8MTV-1 was in use with Tajikistan Airlines. The helicopter was once delivered as CCCP-25167 to AFL/Tajikistan-DYU in July 1990 and transferred to Tajikistan Al as EY-25167 in mid-1990. Late 2005 the helicopter was donated to the Afghan government and in March 2006 it still carried the Tajiki registration. Check also here when it was pictured at Islamabad, Pakistan and note the difference.