Afghanistan

[MasterJet]

Just one more...an Italian Army CH-47 during a transfer from Farah to Herat. The 'Chinook' is part of the TASK FORCE FENICE...

Hope you like

Cheers

Giovanni Colla

[TAZZ]

[/quote]

I doubt that; according to several sources on the web (thank you Google), S-61T's are refurbished SH-3's, so ex-mil versions. The N61NH and N364FH are 'civil' S-61N's registered to EP Aviation.
By the way, EP stands for Erik Prince, the former owner of Xe, better known as Blackwater. So I guess these S-61's are flying their mercenaries eh sorry I mean security personnel around.

Bas[/quote]
Thanks Bas. Seems sensed!

[USAIR]

Amazing collection of pictures , taken under no doubt not the most friendliest skies.

Cheers

Roy

[USAIR]

Here are two from my archive ,

Flying in formation with '701' Mil Mi-17V5



And UP-M1853



More to follow from my archive

[Tigerspoon]

i like the shot of the 701..... looks great in that c/s and configuration..............

[Tigerspoon]

Like promised here are some more shots......

[SquAdmin]

Wow, after NATO has spent 10 years in Afghanistan I wonder why there's never been a serious topic about it like this one. Keep'em coming!

[Copter]

I think because I heard it is very hard to get photo permission at these locations, even for personell.

[Eddie]

I think because I heard it is very hard to get photo permission at these locations, even for personell.

Thats true, but luckily I had one

A small selection, hope you like them:
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

[Fireman Sam]

Hi Tigerspoon, very nice pics, any info about the identity on this CN-235?

[Basman]

Thats true, but luckily I had one

Hi Eddie,



I can see why they gave you the permit! Some very moody shots there. Your second picture, with the F-16's and the C-17 taking off in the background, is really a stunner.

Bas

[Hurricane]

Hi Tigerspoon, very nice pics, any info about the identity on this CN-235?

C/n = C135

[Tigerspoon]

Hi Tigerspoon, very nice pics, any info about the identity on this CN-235?

Registration N168D. "Rumours" saying it belongs to the CIA!!!!

[Fireman Sam]

Looking ate the USAR is registered to Devon Holding Leasing Thanks for the infos

[AmericanSoldier15U]

Oh man this topic just keeps getting better and better. Those 'Little Birds' are pretty rarely photographed I think!

are the Seaking-like choppers (N61nh and N364fh) the S-61T Triton ordered specialy for use in Atan?

I doubt that; according to several sources on the web (thank you Google), S-61T's are refurbished SH-3's, so ex-mil versions. The N61NH and N364FH are 'civil' S-61N's registered to EP Aviation.
By the way, EP stands for Erik Prince, the former owner of Xe, better known as Blackwater. So I guess these S-61's are flying their mercenaries eh sorry I mean security personnel around.

Bas

I did a lot of work with the EP Aviation guys. EP Aviation is just the name of the LLC that they are registered to. The name of the company that these aircraft fly for was Presidential for a few years after the Blackwater, and then Xe collapses (they still fly with the "Xenon" callsigns). As of a few months ago, they are now part of AAR and their specific section is called AAR Airlift. They started with Pumas and still fly them within the country, but in the recent years have added the S-61Ns, both normal length, and shortened versions. They just completed an order for a BUNCH more S-61Ns to come to the country.

I know they may be known in the past for taking mercenaries, security forces, etc in and out, and I am not saying that they dont still do that here and there, but from a year experience around them, that was NOT the kind of things they were doing. They fly soldiers, civilians, etc to and from bases for transfers, going on leave, etc. Much less glamorous, but definitely a little safer.

I will add some more pics to this thread later today.