Military AI Works

Dear MAIW enthusiast,

I would like to let you know that I am leaving on a NATO mission to Kabul somewhere in the next 24 hours. Belgium is in command of Kabul Afghanistan International Airport (KAIA) and I have been assigned as air traffic controller on Kabul Tower, which is quite exciting as you can imagine. I will be back in Belgium somewhere in October, if all goes well.

Although I have only been on the MAIW team for a short while, it has been a pleasure working with all the staff and contributors, and I daresay I have made good friends here. A hearty thank you to each and every member of the team. I hope to be able to continue my work for MAIW over there, but we'll have to wait and see.

We should have access to the internet from our barracks, so I'll still be on the boards if you need me.

See you all soon from sunny Afghanistan

Kabul Tower out.

Greg

Good Luck mate - Stay Safe

Good luck, Greg.
Mind you if you don't come back with at least one Afghan package under your arm we will be very disaapointed .

Good luck mate, and be safe!

barry

All the best Greg, and I hope you return soon safe and sound.

Good Luck Greg!
stay safe

keep your head down and safe mate

That is except when controlling the aircraft


We will await your safe return in October

Plenty of AFCADS to do!


Gary

Hey Gregm as Ive said before I know what you're going into. Kabul isnt too bad mate so dont worry too much, but do keep your head down and stay safe.

Nick

Keep it safe and good luck!

Keep safe, thanks for you're hard work.

macc

All the best, and a safe return.

Ron

don't wear a Burka when in charge Greg

Thanks for all the nice comments back then, I really appreciate the support.

Here is a selection of pictures I've taken during the first half of the mission. Not too many military aircraft though to avoid showing sensitive areas, as you will understand.

One of the many IL-76's we get every day, against the beautiful mountains that surround Kabul City.


2 C130's on the ISAF apron, with our control tower in the background.


The control tower again on the other side of the "bastion wall". Italian Bell 212 sitting idle.


An-124 seen from another parked An-124; popular guests at Kabul.


A Pegasus Airlines B737 chartered by ISAF with suspected hot brakes.


Back to the civilian side where the passangers of this Pakistan A310 get their last security check.


Civilian Beech 200 vacating the runway.


The beast, hidden in blowing dust.


Ariana Afghan Airlines B727 taxiing to the holding under the late afternoon sun.


The civlian terminal with our control tower on top.


That's it for now, hope you enjoyed it.

Take care,

Greg

Ah that takes me back. Familiar pics mate. Glad you're doing ok.

Nick

Here's a second, and probably last selection of pictures from my tour of duty at KAIA. We're leaving this place in less than four weeks to the Hungarians, and although I'm not desperate to go home, I'm not sorry either. It's been enough

We've had quite a nasty period again with several attacks, but the insurgents seem to be occupied with Ramadam now so all is quiet again, except for daily earthquakes (which are still better than RPG's ).

More military aircraft this time. I hope you enjoy!

Italian C130 in the blazing sun.


One of the daily USAF C17's taxiing to the ISAF apron.


Our mighty Hercules bringing the girlfriend's mail... and Belgian beer of course


Just to show you the huge contrasts in a warzone: these guys bring quite something else to KAIA


The very slick Czech A319 with new nurses


Action shot taken from the tower: Il-76 being ofloaded, An-26 taxiing back and CH-47 bringing VIP's to Kabul.


Afghan Air Corps An-32 shipping troops to the South.


It just keeps coming... unbelievable what this beast can hold in its belly.


Indian A320 made ready for the flight back to Delhi.


Portugese C130 on taxi.


One of my personal favourites: USAF Herc against the hills.


An-124 taking his 4 minutes on the runway after an "Apocalypse Now style" departure of UH1's


Zerman C160 on ze taxivay


UH60 on a shuttle flight from Bagram Air Base.


That's it. I hope you liked it.

Greg

I guess now you can now tell what it means to get back home!

At Shoreham Air Show the announcer told that there were only two airworthy C130 in UK. Others were deployed around Iraq and Afghanistan. The one they get to support RAF Falcons looked so much war beaten I wouldn't trust my only one in it. Now I understand where they are. Hauling bear and nurses for your entrainment.

It was surprising to hear it was cargo planes and helos running out and not the all sexy combat planes.

Great photos Greg, I think we all really enjoy seeing them, I know I do. Seems like you guys have no shortage of work.

You needed a Herc to bring your girlfriend's mail????? I didn't get that much in all the tours I've done

Cool pics Greg

Did you happen to see our 4 F16 ?

Come back home soon

Psuls wrote:Did you happen to see our 4 F16 ?

No they went straight to Kandahar unfortunately. We've had the French Mirages lately on a diversion, but that's the only fighter activity I've seen here. More than enough cargo and bizjets to compensate for that though

Thanks for the support.

Greg