In May, the U.S. military oversaw a ceremony for the opening of a metals technology and sheet metal shop in Iraq's largest maintenance hangar. The ceremony at Camp Taji commemorated the construction of two maintenance shops, meant to provide first and second-level repair capability for Mi-171E, UH-1, T-407 and EC-635 aircraft.

The Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter while the UH-1, Iriquois, T-407 were produced in the United States. The EC-635 is a French-origin platform.

"This accomplishment significantly advances the Iraqi Army Aviation Command's organic structural-repair capability to enhance overall fleet readiness," U.S. adviser Maj. Claudio Covacci said.

In 2011, the Iraqi Army Aviation Command assumed responsibility for all periodic inspection and maintenance activities. So far, the Iraqi personnel have been supervised by U.S. civilian contractors, many of whom were expected to leave Iraq with the U.S. military in late 2011.

"Over the last several years, the Iraqi Army Aviation Command sheet metal and machine shop technicians have been incrementally growing to maturity," Covacci said. "The newly-acquired repair facilities provide a state-of-the-art capability that builds trust and confidence in Iraqi flying operations."

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