I’m guessing that we taught quite a few Afghani soldiers how to fly (and maintain) those helicopters. Those guys are now under Taliban control. So maybe the Taliban made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Join the new Taliban Air Force, or you and your family are all dead.
My former brother in law retired from the USAF. He then went to work as a maintenance contractor for the Saudi Royal Air Force. He said that the Saudi mechanics were lazy and that they could ‘t get anything done on the aircraft because they were too busy praying 5 times a day
That is a sure thing. They threaten those that know how to operate that equipment by the execution of their family and they do what they are told.
Most of these were to be turned over or had been turned over to the Afghan Army so you are soot on about the presence of Aghan pilots and mechs. As for their cooperation could be coerced, could be paid, could be just working for a new boss. Doesn’t really matter.
That is the same thing I was going to say.
Either fly the helicopter or lose your head.
Tough choice.