German military helicopters help evacuation effort
Bundeswehr sends two Airbus H145M to support evacuation efforts in Kabul
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defence, Verteidigungsministerium, announced the sending of two Airbus H145M to support the evacuation efforts following a US military request, helping evacuees to reach Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Although international troops have secured the airport itself, Taliban forces control the immediate space around it, and nearly all of Afghanistan.
A real air operation, not a taxi service
The announcement from the Ministry was made on Twitter on Sunday 22 August: “We have just informed the German Bundestag (Parliament) that we are expanding our operation in Afghanistan. Two H-145M helicopters are being deployed today.”
Inspector General of the Bundeswehr (Germany’s military), Eberhard Zorn, remarked that the H145M was chosen for its small size and enhanced maneuverability suitable for urban operations. “This is a real air operation,” Zorn continued. “This is not a taxi service.”
The Bundewehr says it has managed to evacuate 1,900 people so far.
Earlier in August, the Taliban publicized the capture of Afghanistan Air Force helicopters provided by allied nations, including a Mi-35 Hind and a UH-60 Black Hawk.
Khai Trung Le
Khai Trung Le is Editor of AirMed&Rescue. He is an experienced science writer, having previously been embedded in Cardiff University College of Physical Sciences, Innovate UK research council, and the UK Institute of Material Sciences. His writing can also be found on Star Trek and Vice.