[RT] The US’ Afghan war watchdog saw the collapse of the country’s air force coming months before it happened, citing its over-dependence on the US and third-party contractors, among other issues, as major obstacles.The demise of the Afghan Air Force was predicted by the US’ Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in a January 2021 report - only made public last week - which described a force wrestling with a host of thorny issues.SIGAR warned that should US military advisers and contractors leave without putting in place a comprehensive plan for transfer of power, the AAF might find itself unable to "staff, manage, fund, or maintain their forces," imperiling the US’ 20-year "nation building" effort. The agency specifically pointed to the AAF’s failure to focus on non-combat support activities, suggesting that leaving such important tasks for contractors and outside advisers would leave the country’s military at a disadvantage, unable to operate independently.
Noting that operational "sustainability requires the recruitment, training and retention of qualified personnel in all areas of the air forces, including pilots, maintainers and personnel in support positions," the report observed that the Afghan Air Force lacked so much as a comprehensive recruiting strategy - let alone other support functions required to operate a military detachment.
Worse, the AAF’s dependence on contractors meant even if US and coalition forces remained deployed or withdrew in an orderly manner, the department might find itself unable to function should contractors be recalled.
SIGAR’s recommendations - develop and implement formal recruiting strategies, incorporate "support personnel and their training requirements," and complete a "mitigation plan" to ensure the continuation of "essential maintenance, operation and advisory support" to the AAF in the event that contractors were required to leave Afghanistan - appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
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Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction: 2021-12-17 Dozens Of Afghan Helicopters Have Now Arrived At The U.S. Air Force's Boneyard
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction: 2021-10-30 SIGAR Study of 60 Afghan Projects Shows 91% Waste
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction: 2021-06-18 Past 24 Hours Sees Fighting in 200 Areas in Afghanistan
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction: 2021-12-17 Dozens Of Afghan Helicopters Have Now Arrived At The U.S. Air Force's Boneyard
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction: 2021-10-30 SIGAR Study of 60 Afghan Projects Shows 91% Waste
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction: 2021-06-18 Past 24 Hours Sees Fighting in 200 Areas in Afghanistan