http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/ Dispatches from Afghanistan
Pictures from Afghanistan by embedded reporter Tim King
Read news and view videos from Tim at Dispatches from Afghanistan
Tim King is embedded in Kabul, Afghanistan with the 41st Combat Brigade of the Oregon National Guard. See his stories several times a week here, on Salem-News.com, and on Portland’s KPTV Fox12.

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The MIG-21 is still used by a number of countries in the world as a front line jet fighter. Powerful and supersonic, these airplanes in the right hands can be extremely destructive. One of three MIG-21's abandoned at Baghram, this fighter appears to have some parts missing.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:09:35 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/MIG_21_1_baghram.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/MIG_21_1_baghram.jpg.html
Probably the worst of the three in terms of condition, this plane either has the gear up or removed. Parts appear to be missing and holes are seen in the fuselage. The MIG-21 is not a light aircraft. At over 8,000 pounds, the plane has seen service with over 30 nations and is still in use today.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:07:05 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_baghram_+2.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_baghram_+2.jpg.html
This appeared to be the most complete example of the three abandoned Soviet MIG-21 jet fighters left on the field at Baghram, Afghanistan. The cockpit canopy can be seen flipped open on the aircraft's right side. The jack stand indicates that the aircraft could have been under repair at the point Soviets chose to flee the base. Much of the history is lost as a good number of the Soviets here were killed in the conflict.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:02:51 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+5_001.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+5_001.jpg.html
This plane once patrolled the skies over Afghanistan. The Soviets left Afghanistan in defeat by 1989 leaving behind a good amount of hardware like this airplane. It is one of three left parked on the airfield at Baghram, Afghanistan.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 01:59:10 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+8_001.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+8_001.jpg.html
Resting on its side, this former champion of the Soviet Air Force has lost much of its glory. The MIG-21 fighters were used when the Soviets battled the Mujahideen for control of Afghanistan. Even with sophisticated weapons like the MIG's, the Soviets were unable to defeat the Afghans.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 10:47:26 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+4_001.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+4_001.jpg.html
Photography is kept to a distance when a mine field exists around the subject. This Soviet MIG-21 fighter jet is a Mach-2 aircraft, meaning that it will travel at twice the speed of sound. This half-century old design outperforms many contemporary western fighters.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 01:51:07 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+3_001.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/mig_21_baghram_+3_001.jpg.html
The MIG-21 is a twin engine jet fighter developed after the successful MIG-17 and MIG-21 jet fighters flown during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The MIG-21 Fishbed fighter as it was designated by NATO, dates back to the mid 1950's. Russian aircraft are built in large numbers and this is the most widely produced supersonic jet aircraft in history.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 01:48:15 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/gunner_helo_shoulder.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/gunner_helo_shoulder.jpg.html
Safety comes in numbers and both of these U.S. Army helicopters are armed to the hilt. They are on a mission to transport a number of Afghan National Army soldiers from combat operations in the mountains near Gardez, back to Kabul.]]> photo Sat, 10 Feb 2007 00:38:55 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/47_shadow.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/47_shadow.jpg.html
Although helicopters are being lost increasingly in Iraq and occasionally in Afghanistan, they are still an extremely safe form of transportation when considering the number of IED's that continue to claim lives. This particular flight is moving a platoon of Afghan National Army soldiers from one point to another.]]> photo Fri, 09 Feb 2007 16:15:58 -0800 http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/view_over_villages_2.jpg.html http://pictures.salem-news.com/v/Afghanistan/view_over_villages_2.jpg.html
It is difficult to know the ages of many structures in Afghanistan. Places like this walled village that now appears to be used for agricultural purposes. Even people who occupy these areas often know little about the history. The country has been through too many violent changes in recent years.]]> photo Fri, 09 Feb 2007 16:00:45 -0800