Pentagon Inspector Criticizes Reforms in Afghan Air Force

The U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General has sharply criticized NATO's U.S.-backed efforts for reforms in the Afghan Air Force in a recently released report. The report emphasizes weaknesses in training and support, as well as a lack of a comprehensive strategy, which has hindered international coalition military advisors from effectively fulfilling their duties. Published on January 4, the report outlines its findings in six chapters, with five chapters strongly criticizing the actions related to the reform of the Afghan Air Force. It states that the training, advisory, and support programs for the Afghan Air Force have yielded good results. However, it is noted that 'this program lacks a precise and specific plan to fulfill its mission of transforming the Afghan Air Force into a professional, capable, and efficient force.' The training and advisory program is unable to determine the level of progress in the Afghan Air Force due to the absence of clear criteria for evaluating advancements. The report mentions that personnel in the Afghan Air Force's support and maintenance units do not receive standard and ongoing training, and the international coalition 'has failed to provide institutionalized training to enhance the necessary and specialized capabilities of the Air Force within the structure of that country's army.' In another section, the Pentagon Inspector General states that 'the lack of standard and ongoing training has limited the development and improvement of the Afghan Air Force as a professional and reliable air force.' Among the recommendations included in the report are improving contracts and incentives for personnel and finding ways to assign maintenance work to Afghan personnel.