<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> WorldTribune.com: Mobile — U.S. completes 2 major air force facilities for Iraq

U.S. completes 2 major air force facilities for Iraq

Tuesday, December 1, 2009   E-Mail this story   Free Headline Alerts

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has completed two infrastructure projects for the Iraq Air Force.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed two facilities for the Iraq Air Force in 2009. The projects were identified as Aerospace Equipment Maintenance Facility and a 1,200-man barracks complex at Taji Air Base.

"These two projects demonstrate that the United States does care about the Iraqi Air Force, the Iraqi people and its mission to defeat terrorism," Iraqi Brig. Gen. Nadhim Lafta, commander of the Taji Air Base, said.

Officials said the projects were conducted as part of a fast-tracked U.S. effort to revitalize the Iraq Air Force before 2011. They said the latest facilities would expand aircraft deployment and enhance air safety.

The prime contractor of the two projects was identified as Iraq's Almco Co. Officials said the barracks project cost $5.5 million and provided four dormitories that would house 1,200 air force personnel at Taji.

Almco also worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete an aerospace maintenance facility that would power aircraft while on the ground. The 750-square meter facility also included a workshop for repair and maintenance of flight equipment.

Officials said Taji would be the focus of continued U.S.-sponsored infrastructure projects for the air force. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to construct an Mi-17 helicopter hanger and air traffic control tower at Taji.

"The aviation schools here at Taji emphasize that commitment [to the Iraqi Air Force], and this is where we need to be focused," U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert Kane, commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team, said.

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