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USAF receives new A-29s for training mission

8th May 2018 - 12:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

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The US Air force has received a new batch of A-29s Super Tucanos at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

The aircraft will support the 81st Fighter Squadron in training Afghan pilots and maintainers. The Afghan light air support training mission provides Afghan pilots with the capabilities of finding, tracking, and attacking targets.

The A-29 has been designed to operate in high temperatures and in extremely rugged terrain and is a highly manoeuvrable fourth-generation weapons system capable of delivering precision guided munitions.

The aircraft is being used by the Afghan air force for close-air attack, air interdiction, escort and armed reconnaissance.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Craige, formally acting commanding general at Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air, said: The A-29 programme has been an integral part of the US government's overall building partnership capacity efforts around the world and immediately supports the development of an indigenous air force in Afghanistan.

‘This rapidly developed programme for Afghanistan is unique for the A-29 development because this is the first time the USAF pilots and maintainers have been trained as instructors to conduct training for Afghan students in the US.’