Captured Chinooks in Afghanistan

[RatherBeFlying]

The truce agreement at the end of GWI allowed Saddam to continue flying helicopters, which were then put to use machine gunning the Kurds and Shi'as who rose up in rebellion in response to Bush I's call on national television

[sandiego89]

Originally Posted by Ant

Not just helicopters, but apparently one or more C-130 aircraft as well.
See BBC news clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-58393243

So 2 questions along with apology for some thread drift:

Firstly, would the Taliban be able to fly and service a Herc to any realistic extent, assuming the somewhat unlikely scenario that they would find an actual use for it?
Then secondly, why on earth would machinery of that strategic and monetary value have been left behind?

That once proud Herky bird sure is canted to the left- imagine some serious strut issues on the left main, good luck with that.

I do note that the BBC and AJ piece both cite the abandoned "US Military helicopters" indicating the US military left them, but then show the little birds and Mil helos with clearly Afghan military markings. I have no illusions about who paid for these aircraft or their original sources, and maybe who did some work with them, but these were not quite "US Military". The 46's were with the US State department, and likely had little need after the Afghan mission.

[TEEEJ]

Originally Posted by Ant

Not just helicopters, but apparently one or more C-130 aircraft as well.
See BBC news clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-58393243

So 2 questions along with apology for some thread drift:

Firstly, would the Taliban be able to fly and service a Herc to any realistic extent, assuming the somewhat unlikely scenario that they would find an actual use for it?
Then secondly, why on earth would machinery of that strategic and monetary value have been left behind?

The C-130 is Afghan Air Force. It was likely unserviceable and has been left disabled.

[krismiler]

Originally Posted by PANews

The worlds stock of MD530 helicopters is suddenly diminished. A few years ago (when she was in charge at Mesa) Lynn Tilton kicked aside all/most of the civil market aspirations of MDHI and went with the DoD military deal that was going to save the company. The result has been that most of recent production has been the military airframes for the Afghan Air Force. True there have been a few military sales to such as Nigeria but the bulk was Afghan.

The North Koreans got their hands on a few of the earlier model back in the 1980s.
https://news.yahoo.com/north-korea-g...090000711.html

[mickjoebill]

Originally Posted by sandiego89

I do note that the BBC and AJ piece both cite the abandoned "US Military helicopters" indicating the US military left them, but then show the little birds and Mil helos with clearly Afghan military markings. I have no illusions about who paid for these aircraft or their original sources, and maybe who did some work with them, but these were not quite "US Military". The 46's were with the US State department, and likely had little need after the Afghan mission.

A point worth highlighting.

mjb

[etrang]

Originally Posted by Duck Pilot

And you recon the Taliban are going to recognise anything to do with airworthiness of the aircraft?

No understanding of sarcasm is the one thing the Taliban and Americans have in common.

[aa777888]

Originally Posted by etrang

No understanding of sarcasm is the one thing the Taliban and Americans have in common.

Maybe you mean Australians? Because Duck's profile says he's from "Darwin and PNG".

Most Americans I know have a very fine understanding of sarcasm

[minigundiplomat]

Originally Posted by JoeCool88

Once the Airworthiness Review Certificates are expired, the h/c are worthless for the Taliban, anyway

sure, the TB are sticklers for compliance.

[212man]

Originally Posted by minigundiplomat

sure, the TB are sticklers for compliance.

They certainly are - for some rules

[[email protected]]

Maybe there is a section in the Koran that deals with airworthiness............

[alicopter]

I would have thought that, with the amount of poppies growing in the region, they do not need aircrafts in order to fly anyway!!!

[as350nut]

I wonder how long it will be before training schools in the US get inundated with request for training to fly all these aircraft?

[mickjoebill]

How many pics of aircraft left behind, with USA livery?

Mjb