kabul version july 23 story correct reference a-29 super tucano para 7. aircraft build unite state agreement brazilian manufacturer embraer sierra nevada corp. u.s. administration prepare new strategy afghanistan kabul government western ally work hard develop air force give government force advantage war taliban militants level equipment train assets fall far short match air assets americans still maintain afghanistan billions dollars earmark force build almost scratch provide asymmetric advantage break stalemate grind brigadier-general phillip stewart commander taac-air resolute support mission advise air force tell reuters four-year billion expansion plan aim train flight maintenance crew increase number aircraft afghan air force aaf 2014 remember nato u.s. military afghanistan best air force world coalition pull realize grow afghan air force stewart say u.s. officer say aim build counter-insurgency force able support troop fight remote forbid terrain air strike supply intelligence air force already conduct air strike use brazilian-designed a-29 super tucano light attack aircraft specially adapt md-530 scout helicopters build capacity areas last month afghan air crew parachute around 400 kg supply isolate border police outpost first time aaf conduct aerial supply drop casualty evacuations take cargo take ammunition transport vehicles different place go road say major khail shinwari afghan c-130 hercules pilot aaf 120 aircraft service range small propeller cessna 208s old soviet-era helicopters well a-29s md-530s four veteran c-130 hercules transporters come years old russian mi-17s helicopters increasingly difficult maintain replace american uh-60 black hawk aaf say fly 140 sorties day carry supply provide close air support troop fight afghan taliban islamic state whether build quickly enough turn tide stubborn taliban insurgency unclear air power nato-led coalition enough defeat militants aaf nowhere near able operate alone u.s. drone f-16s apache attack helicopters still heavily engage areas like helmand u.s. aircraft conduct least 52 air strike space five days last week support afghan force moment afghan a-29s still use unguided bomb rather guide weapons use americans md-530 helicopters come service 2015 fire machine gun rocket attach land gear close air support anyone grow u.s. air force would understand stewart say precision .50 cal ibre machine gun rocket get close work good u.s. trainers say afghan pilot crew train standard comparable american counterparts length time take train crew four years pilot much seven years specialize mechanics mean years air force operate fully independently moment emphasis build force suitable afghanistan mean use less complicate equipment c-208s md-350 helicopters expense maybe get big sexy platform stewart say aim increase effectiveness security force advisers hope get point taliban force negotiate political settlement aaf grow however face increase pressure army units step operations advisers say one main risk face overstretch airplanes sometimes grind force become frustrate want stewart say u.s. weigh afghan strategy hop set fledgling air force