The Afghan air force suddenly has it’s version of guns in the sky.   Old but deadly Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters, once used to kill Afghans during the Soviet invasion are now deployed to protect the Afghan army fighting terrorists.

American air force Brig. General Walter Givhan tells me this is a proud moment for U.S. Trainers who have sowed the seeds for a rebirth of the Afghan air force.

These pictures show live fire exercises of the Mi-35’s firing weapons.  They will now be used to guard even Afghan President Karzai when he fly s in his Afghan helicopter.

The Afghan airforce now numbers about 35 aircraft ranging from helicopters to transport planes and it’s growing.

Many new Afghan pilots go to flight school in American for advanced training.

The helicopters are old but fierce and a formidable airborne force against the Taliban resurgence.