{"id":68572,"date":"2017-08-02T20:10:36","date_gmt":"2017-08-02T20:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:53:07","slug":"a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/","title":{"rendered":"A private air force for Afghanistan?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2017\/08\/02\/blackwater-founder-wants-to-run-the-afghan-air-war-with-his-private-air-force\/\">provide the government of Afghanistan<\/a> with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets. A look at the aircraft it offers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>A-4 Skyhawk<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once flown by Sen. John McCain, the A-4 Skyhawk was a carrier-based aircraft used by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps squadrons from 1956 to 1987. Made by McDonnell Douglas, the A-4 served as a light attack aircraft and could also carry tactical nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1126\" height=\"900\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg 1126w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg?resize=768,614 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,818 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1126px) 100vw, 1126px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>T-Bird<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using the same airframe as a crop duster, the T-Bird has advanced sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and it can be fitted with weapons such as 57 mm rocket launchers and twin 23 mm cannon. It is made by the Bulgarian company Light Armed Surveillance Aircraft (LASA) Engineering Ltd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1100\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lasa-t-bird-slide-cut_7.jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lasa-t-bird-slide-cut_7.jpeg.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lasa-t-bird-slide-cut_7.jpeg.jpg?resize=300,172 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lasa-t-bird-slide-cut_7.jpeg.jpg?resize=768,440 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lasa-t-bird-slide-cut_7.jpeg.jpg?resize=1024,587 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lasa-t-bird-slide-cut_7.jpeg.jpg?resize=1536,880 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>A\u00e9rospatiale Gazelle<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The five-seat helicopter is used for reconnaissance, transport and light attack missions. Both the French and British militaries use the helicopter, which can be fitted by anti-tank rockets and a 20 mm cannon. The Gazelle is manufactured under a joint production agreement between A\u00e9rospatiale and Westland Aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"358\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gazelle.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gazelle.jpg.jpg 550w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gazelle.jpg.jpg?resize=300,195 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>AN-26<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Produced from 1969 to 1986, the AN-26 is a light transport aircraft that can carry up to 40 passengers for air mobility missions. One version of the aircraft has twin 30 mm cannon to support troops on the ground. The airplane was built by Antonov, which is now part of the Ukrainian state-run defense industry Ukroboronprom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"867\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hungarian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-26_departs_RIAT_14thJuly2014_arp.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hungarian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-26_departs_RIAT_14thJuly2014_arp.jpg.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hungarian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-26_departs_RIAT_14thJuly2014_arp.jpg.jpg?resize=300,203 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hungarian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-26_departs_RIAT_14thJuly2014_arp.jpg.jpg?resize=768,520 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hungarian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-26_departs_RIAT_14thJuly2014_arp.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,694 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Lionseye<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Lionseye is a proprietary aircraft provided by Lancaster6. It can fly for 12 continuous hours for day or night missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"288\" height=\"181\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Lionseye.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103441\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Super Puma<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Made by the European company Airbus, the Super Puma can carry up to 24 troops and a crew of two for transport missions. For medical evacuation flights, it can carry six passengers in stretchers plus 10 other passengers. The helicopter is also able to lift 4.5 tons with a sling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"512\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/super-puma-2.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/super-puma-2.jpg.jpg 773w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/super-puma-2.jpg.jpg?resize=300,199 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/super-puma-2.jpg.jpg?resize=768,509 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-smg-jwplayer-video\"><atype-video-jwplayer nostick=\"true\" playlisturl=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/v2\/playlists\/fCzRqMW8?tags=664730f9-04a4-4677-a53e-d5201fb58716\" aspectratio=\"16 \/ 9\" mute autostart=\"false\"><\/atype-video-jwplayer><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Erik Prince, the former CEO of the private military company formerly known as Blackwater, wants to run the Afghan air war with a private air force capable of intelligence collection and close-air support, according to a recent proposal submitted to the Afghan government.<\/figcaption><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to provide the government of Afghanistan with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":103426,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":12,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"coauthors":[259],"class_list":["post-68572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"247JR3OTMVDJ5L7BGVFYAHGEPA","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A private air force for Afghanistan? - Navy Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to provide the government of Afghanistan with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A private air force for Afghanistan?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to provide the government of Afghanistan with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Navy Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-08-02T20:10:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T13:53:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Military Times\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Military Times\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"A private air force for Afghanistan?\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2017-08-02T20:10:36+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T13:53:07+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 306,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"News\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"A private air force for Afghanistan? - Navy Times\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2017-08-02T20:10:36+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T13:53:07+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to provide the government of Afghanistan with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets.\",\n\t            \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/08\\\/02\\\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\\\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t            \"itemListElement\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 1,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"home\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 2,\n\t                    \"name\": \"News\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/news\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"news\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 3,\n\t                    \"name\": \"A private air force for Afghanistan?\"\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Navy Times\",\n\t            \"description\": \"Independent News For Sailors | Navy Times\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t                        \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t                        \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t                    }\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Navy Times\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/navy-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/navy-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Navy Times\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\",\n\t            \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"migration\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/author\\\/migration\\\/\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A private air force for Afghanistan? - Navy Times","description":"A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to provide the government of Afghanistan with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"A private air force for Afghanistan?","og_description":"A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to provide the government of Afghanistan with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets.","og_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/","og_site_name":"Navy Times","article_published_time":"2017-08-02T20:10:36+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-08T13:53:07+00:00","author":"Military Times","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Military Times","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/"},"author":{"name":"migration","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1"},"headline":"A private air force for Afghanistan?","datePublished":"2017-08-02T20:10:36+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T13:53:07+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/"},"wordCount":306,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/","name":"A private air force for Afghanistan? - Navy Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg","datePublished":"2017-08-02T20:10:36+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T13:53:07+00:00","description":"A private security firm known as Lancaster6 has offered to provide the government of Afghanistan with a \u201cturnkey air wing\u201d with range of aviation assets.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/a-private-air-force-for-afghanistan\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/","ad_zone":"home"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/","ad_zone":"news"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A private air force for Afghanistan?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#website","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/","name":"Navy Times","description":"Independent News For Sailors | Navy Times","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#organization","name":"Navy Times","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/navy-logo-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/navy-logo-white.png","caption":"Navy Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1","name":"migration","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"migration"},"url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/author\/migration\/"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Navy Times","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes","push-errors":false,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/A4-Navy-.jpg.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68572"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68581,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68572\/revisions\/68581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68572"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=68572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}