Afghanistan: 5.000 flight hours for the NH-90

(To Greater Defense)
07/07/20

Just over a month after the AH-13.500 exploration and escort helicopter had exceeded 129 flight hours in Afghanistan, the rotary wing component of the Train Advise Assist Command West (TAAC-W) achieves another brilliant result: 5.000 hours of flight in the Afghan skies with the NH-90 tactical transport helicopter.

It was August 2012 when, after only four years from entering service in the Air Force, the first NH-90 aircraft reached Afghan soil, marking an extraordinary success for Italy, which became the first among member states of the NH Industries international consortium to deploy the new helicopter in an operating theater.

From 2012 to today, the NH-90 crews of the Army Aviation, coming from the 5th "Rigel" and 7th "Vega" regiments of the "Friuli" aircraft brigade and from the 3rd helicopter regiment for special operations "Aldebaran", have faced extreme environmental conditions, characterized by high altitudes, strong winds, temperatures that are too hot or too cold and constant presence of sand in the landing areas, carrying out more than 2.000 operational missions in support of NATO operations "International Security Assistance Force" (ISAF) and, since 2015, Resolute Support (LOL).

For the men and women of the "Fenice" Task Group, the helicopter department deployed in Herat as part of the TAAC-WEST under the command of Brigadier General Enrico Barduani, the achievement of NH-5.000's 90 flight hours represents a coveted milestone , pride and pride of the Italian Armed Forces; a number that well expresses the commitment and professionalism that for years the blue berets of the Army have placed at the service of the military mission of assistance and advice to the Afghan Security Forces for the pacification of the country.