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How did U.S. covert support aid Afghan fighters against Soviet troops during the 1980s?

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George W. Bush and Porter J. Goss at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. — intelligence U.S. Pres. George W. Bush (front) and Porter J. Goss, director (2004–06) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), heading to a press conference at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, March 3, 2005.

During the 1980s, the United States provided significant covert support to the mujahideen guerrillas fighting against the Soviet military and the Soviet-backed government in Afghanistan. This assistance was part of a broader effort by Western sponsors to keep the Soviet army bogged down and to weaken Moscow economically.312

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) played a central role in arming and training these resistance fighters. Because the Pakistani military’s Inter-Service Intelligence Directorate (ISI) assumed primary responsibility for funneling resources into the country, most of this aid was shipped via Pakistan.132

The quality of the mujahideen's combat organization and weaponry improved significantly over the decade as they received large quantities of arms and war matériel. A critical turning point occurred toward the end of 1986, when the rebels began receiving shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles from the United States. These weapons allowed the mujahideen to neutralize Soviet air power, specifically by inflicting considerable casualties on Soviet helicopter gunships and jet bombers, which had previously been used to devastating effect against the insurgency.32