9/3/2009 - KABUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Test pilots, engineers and ground crews from Alenia North America performed an initial test flight of the first of 20 programmed Afghan C-27A "Spartans" recently in Italy. The medium-sized tactical military transport remains on schedule for delivery to Naples in late September. Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan is currently refurbishing these C-27As, which will be added to the Afghan National Army Air Corps' fleet in November. Currently, the Afghan National Army Air Corps operates seven refurbished Soviet-era fixed-wing aircraft that are familiar platforms to the aircrews and maintenance personnel. The transition to the...