Iraq Air Force, trained in surveillance, graduate to combat ops
BAGHDAD — The United States is preparing the Iraqi Air Force
for training in ground attack operations.
Officials said the Iraq Air Force would be receiving platforms and
training to enable the military service to conduct its first attacks since
the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime in 2003.
They said the air force has
already demonstrated significant capabilities in reconnaissance and
transport missions, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The Iraqi Air Force is growing in personnel and aircraft, leading to
important capabilities in three missions: intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance; battlefield mobility; and, soon, ground-attack operations,"
U.S. Brig. Gen. Brooks Bash, the U.S. adviser to the Iraqi Air Force, said.
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At a June 18 news conference, Bash, commander of the Coalition Air Force
Transition Team in Iraq, said the air force was contributing capabilities to
the Iraqi military and police. The brigadier said the air force has made its
greatest advances in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
capability.
So far, the air force has 11 surveillance aircraft, with an additional
five scheduled to arrive in Iraq in 2008. Bash said the aircraft, which
provided surveillance in Baghdad and Mosul, were capable of flying photo
reconnaissance missions and video surveillance in day and night.
The Iraqi Air Force has 15 Mi-17 helicopters, 16 UH-2 helicopters and
three C-130E aircraft for transport and supply of Iraqi ground forces.
Officials said the fleet transported more than 3,400 Iraqi soldiers for the
offensive in Basra in March 2008.
Bash said the Iraqi Air Force would need several years to perfect its
close-air support mission. He said the Iraqi government plans to procure a
fleet of 376 aircraft by 2020.
