Iraqi air force soars to new level, activates squadron in Nasiriyah

Photo By Maj. Alan Brown | An Iraqi air force pilot shows off a CH2000 reconnaissance plane based at Tallil Air Base. The 70th Iraqi Squadron was activated on the base Nov. 23 and will continue training and conducting operations to support Operation New Dawn.  

NASIRIYAH, IRAQ

11.26.2010

Story by Maj. Alan Brown 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

NASIRIYAH, Iraq – The Iraqi air force made a huge advance Nov. 23 with the activation of the 70th Iraqi Air Force Squadron on Tallil Air Base.

The air base outside of Nasiriyah is a strategic location for southern Iraq, enabling the Iraqis to respond more quickly to an internal or external threat to the region. The 70th AF Sqdn. will also train closely with the U.S. Air Force as it builds its capabilities.

The future for the 70th AF Sqdn. appears to be as bright as the day of its activation ceremony. Set on the east ramp of the airfield amidst calm, clear skies and mild temperatures, the ceremony officially marked the arrival of the squadron to the base and celebrated the tremendous progress of the Iraqi air force over the last several years.

The 70th AF Sqdn. is currently training under the guidance of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, which is overseeing a rigorous program involving aerial maneuvering, radio communications and air-to-ground attack capabilities.

The Iraqi air force is not new to air operations over its homeland. According to Brig. Gen. Scott Hansen, commander, 321st AEW, Iraqi pilots and aircraft have already played a significant role in Operation New Dawn.

“Before today, the Iraqi air force has been flying operational missions, helping to secure borders, important infrastructures, and protecting the people of Iraq,” said Hansen.

The new unit proudly displayed its new aircraft, a group of CH 2000 reconnaissance planes, an AC-208 and an Iraqi C-130 cargo plane, similar to the U.S. version. The single propeller CH2000 has already logged many flight hours patrolling southern Iraq, providing valuable information to Iraqi commanders on the ground.

The Iraqi air force has plans to increase its number of aircraft in the future, as it takes a greater responsibility for Iraqi airspace, said Brig. Gen. Hassan, operations officer for the Iraqi air force.

“Recently we agreed to receive the last planes for the initial training which will allow us to progress more. We will soon make an agreement to gain fighter jets to enable us to get the fighter power we need to be able to support the Iraqi government,” said Hassan.

Lt. Gen. Babeker Zebari, the chief of staff of the Iraqi army, said that the addition of the 70th AF Sqdn. to Tallil Air Base is the first step by the Iraqis to assume control of the base, as U.S. forces continue to reduce in number.

Until the official end of the current advise and assist mission, U.S. and Iraqi forces will live and work side-by-side on Tallil Air Base and the adjacent Camp Adder.

The Commandant of the Iraqi Air Force, Lt. Gen. Anwar Hamed Amen and the Deputy Commanding General—Maneuver, United States Division—South, Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, also attended the event to show their support for the new squadron. An Iraqi C-130 from Baghdad landed at the airfield with a host of officers and troops to attend the ceremony.

“This marks not only the past and the present, but also the future of the Iraqi air force. There will be a really strong presence of the Iraqi air force in Nasiriyah,” said Gibbs.

• Date Taken: 11.26.2010
• Date Posted: 11.26.2010 13:05
• Story ID: 60926
• Location: NASIRIYAH, IQ