This Mi-17 of Valan was first noted at Kandahar early '10, for several years it operated in Afgh. under a contract with Aircraft Charter Solutions (UAE) in support of the US Gvmt. ACS provided airlift support for Afgh. security forces, in the mid-tens out of Mazar-i-Sharif. The Mi-17 was written off on 24 Nov'15 when was hit by a Taliban rocket over Faryab. The helo caught fire and made a forced landing in Pashtun Kot district, 1 of 3 crew and 2 of 18 Afghan soldiers on board were killed, 18 survivors were taken hostage by the Taliban. The Mi-17 was canx from register between 11 Mar'16 and 30 Sep'16.

Incredible to believe the following story when seeing this wreck. This former Ukraine Air Force and civilian Russian Aeroflot helicopter was sold to Chad in 1999. After an attack at Faya Largeau airfield, northern Chad 3 October 2002, rebels destroyed the helicopter. It was transported to N'Djamena in 2005 where it was stored in a hangar, thereafter it was seen like the picture in scrap compound at the field. Late 2008, it was moved to Russia where it was rebuilt and subsequently returned to Chad as aircargo in an An-124 in November 2009. The Hip is currently still operational.

Colourful firefighter.

Quite a flight, all from the Baltic to the Black Sea. According to the pilots it took them three days...

Note the water cannon below the fuselage.

At the LIMA airshow.

This firefighting helicopter blew over the fence in the background while landing at the LIMA 2007 show.

Flying fire engine.