Today, we examine the Afghan Air Force — its history, its success, its tenuous future. We talk with two of my L.A. Times colleagues who went on a helicopter ride-along... that came under attack. Since 2010, the U.S. military and other allies have poured in $8.5 billion to support the Afghan Air Force, which dates back to 1918. In a long war characterized by inefficiencies and failures, it has proven one of the few success stories. Now, its days might be numbered.More Reading:Afghanistan’s air force is a rare U.S.-backed success story. It may soon failBiden tells Afghan leaders that despite U.S. withdrawal, ‘we’re going to stick with you’Troops bid goodbye to Bagram, once the heart of U.S. power in Afghanistan