Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has delivered the first F-16 multi-role fighter to Iraq.

On June 5, Lockheed Martin delivered the first of 36 F-16 Block 52 aircraft to the Iraq Air Force. In a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas, L-M said the F-16 was configured to meet the requirements of Iraq’s military.

The Shi’ite-led government in Baghdad enjoys friendly relations with Iran and is widely regarded as a strategic ally.

[Related: Obama approves Apache helicopters for Iraq despite leader’s Iran ties, Jan. 29, 2014]

“We are proud to play a role in the defense of a new democracy and look
forward to strengthening our partnership with Iraq,” L-M vice president
Orlando Carvalho said.

Executives said the F-16 project included a mission equipment and
support package. They said L-M and the U.S. Air Force were training Iraq Air
Force pilots and crews to accumulate an F-16 squadron at the Balad air base.

The first F-16 was expected to join two other aircraft and arrive in
Iraq in September 2014.

Executives said Iraq would use the F-16s for border security, counter-insurgency as well as air space defense.

  Balad air base, F-16 Block 52, Iraq, Lockheed Martin, U.S. delivers first new F-16 to Iran satellite