The Air Force has formed an ISR unit, Squadron 3, at its air base in
Kirkuk. The March 5 mission involved the flight of six aircraft, the RC-208
and AC-208. All of the aircraft were equipped with an MX-15 electro-optical
infrared camera system.
"In previous years, the United States has provided security, aerial
surveillance and reconnaissance for the elections," Liberato, assigned to
the 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, said.
The ISR aircraft, with each platform containing a pilot, co-pilot and
mission system operator, was linked to an Iraqi operation center and relayed
full motion videos of targeted areas. Officials said the ISR mission was
deemed successful and helped secure roads that led to polling stations.
"The role of the Iraqi Air Force is to provide the Iraqi security ground
forces the information needed for them to do their duties better," Iraqi
Col. Mohammed Al Bayati, Squadron 3 commander, said.
During Election Day, the Iraqi aircraft, produced in the United States,
transmitted data to ground forces in an effort to protect polling stations.
Officials said the focus was on Iraqi cities threatened by Al Qaida
insurgents. In all, nearly 40 people were killed in suspected Al Qaida and
other insurgency strikes during the elections.
"This means our planes will be overhead in the cities, looking for every
single movement," Al Bayati said on the eve of elections. "If anything
happens, we will be in contact with the ground forces, giving them a direct
link that will provide better reaction time."
