I’ve heard about the mountainous regions of Afghanistan but reading about them or seeing video on television doesn’t do these mountain ranges justice.

The aerial view is simply, “breathtaking”. 

Photographer Chad Flowers and I capitalized on an opportunity to fly with the Medevac Unit for the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. One officer familiar with the Mountains described them as “impressive, formidable, intense, enormous."

I saw for myself that he is right.

Some of the mountains look like jagged masses, sticking straight up in the air. Others look like gigantic mounds of dirt because of very little or no greenery in this desert region.

Valleys lined with creeks and rivers almost look like they’re paying homage to some of these mountain ranges that reach elevations of at least 12,000 feet.

Helicopter flights that could take 15 minutes, take 30 minutes because pilots have to fly through the valleys and around the rugged mountains.

At times, my view from the Blackhawk made it seem like I could reach out and touch the side of the mountains.

The view doesn’t end there.

In between these mountains, desert communities where the Afghan people build their homes out of dirt and mud.

To really appreciate the scenic beauty and stark landscape of Afghanistan, an aerial view is highly recommended.