kandahar afghanistan senior afghan american officials welcome arrival new u.s.-made military helicopters saturday begin process radically transform young afghan air force plan new uh-60 black hawk helicopters work time form major part u.s.-led military coalition train efforts expand proposals approve president donald trump august modernization program allow project power throughout afghanistan say lieutenant colonel trent alexander u.s. military adviser afghan air force transition black hawk quick task difficult task ceremony kandahar airfield southern afghanistan afghan president ashraf ghani formally accept first new helicopters call historic day would allow air force good respond demand security force russian-designed mi-17 helicopters currently form backbone afghan air force work well crew use russian equipment deteriorate relations moscow washington mean americans unable provide new part aircraft replace overwork aircraft mi-17 great aircraft bring afghans ability capable however introduction uh-60 sustainable alexander say 2024 u.s. plan provide afghans least 159 black hawk include 58 fit extra rocket pod machine gun provide close air support fleet dwarf few 40 mi-17s currently operational black hawk cost american government almost million piece officials say process completely refurbish upgrade u.s. army surplus aircraft far two train black hawk arrive delivery several additional helicopters delay u.s. military humanitarian response hurricanes caribbean retrain afghan pilot fly black hawk take five six months say alexander members first class six pilot say excite view modern helicopters black hawk manoeuverable small mi-17 capable fight carry soldier cargo say one pilot zabihullah dorandish afghan pilot expect begin fly missions black hawk early next year officials say twitter fee attribute taliban spokesman zabihullah mujahid warn aircraft would nothing change war u.s. afghan leaders remember fight base technology ideologically motivate fight say one twitter post new u.s. helicopters mark major change afghan air force