Afghan AF’s most decorated pilot on MD-530F: “I don’t know why we have this plane here”

Col. Qalandar Shah Qalandari is the most decorated pilot in the Afghan Air Force, recently he took command of a squadron of MD-530F armed helicopters. However, he is disappointed with the rotorcraft.

By Staff Sgt. Perry Aston (USAF) (dvidshub.net) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Speaking to a journalist, Qalandari complained that the American-made helicopter lacked the range to reach areas where the Taliban normally operate. The helicopter is not able to climb high above the mountain ranges that encircle Kabul during summer time when loaded with full fuel and weapons.

Source: Afghan AF’s most decorated pilot on MD-530F: “I don’t know why we have this plane here”