Special Report-Pilots detail chaotic collapse of the Afghan Air Force

An Afghan Air Force C-130 at Camp Shorabak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, unloading Special Forces troops who are heading to battle against the Taliban August 3, 2021. Reza Sarvari/Handout via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hours before Kabul fell to the Taliban on Aug. 15, the Afghan Air Force was melting down. Instead of unleashing air attacks against advancing insurgents, some airmen were fighting each other.

At the Kabul airport, some Afghan Air Force personnel guarding the airfield tried to force their way onto a military helicopter preparing to lift off, according to the Afghan Air Force pilot flying the craft and two other people familiar with the incident. The chopper’s destination was across town, but the guardsmen were convinced it was leaving the country and were determined not to be left behind, the pilot told Reuters. Another guard, trying to stop them, pointed his gun at the cockpit.