Taji opens largest free-span building in Middle East

Photo By Chad Menegay | Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Nadham Al Ajwady, deputy commander of the Iraq Army Aviation Command, signs for ownership of the IqAAC’s new Mi-17 helicopter hanger, Jan. 17, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq. The $9.8 million project that began in 2009 produced the largest free-span building in the Middle East at, 15-meters tall and 76-meters long.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.17.2011

Story by Sgt. Chad Menegay 

196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD - The Iraq army Aviation Command celebrated the construction of a 15-meter tall and 76-meter long Mi-17 helicopter hangar and maintenance facility Jan. 17 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq.

The Mi-17 hangar, the largest free-span building in the Middle East, will provide all the space that the IqAAC needs for its entire fleet of aircraft, allowing for increased effectiveness and capability, said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Rock, director of Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air Force.

The IqAAC operates six different helicopters: Mi-17, Mi-171E, Bell 407, UH-1 HP Huey II Upgrade, Eurocopter EC 635, French-designed Gazelles.

“They call it the Mi-17 hangar, but it’s actually going to be used to maintain and house all of the [IqAAC] aircraft that are bedded down at Taji,” said Capt. Eric Vanley, 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Mi-17 instructor pilot. “When you have good, well-maintained aircraft, you’re going to have reliable equipment that will help support the security of Iraq.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region District, managed the $9.8 million project that began in 2009, and has also managed the construction of an air traffic control tower, a bulk fuel station and a squadron operations building that will contain an Mi-17 simulator at Camp Taji.

“The completion of the Mi-17 hangar and squadron operations building will provide the IqAAC with facilities to conduct maintenance on their rotary-wing aircraft, protected from the harsh environs of Iraq and will provide them with needed office space and a simulator room in which to train their pilots,” said Maj. John Stover, officer-in-charge of the Taji project office of USACE, GRD.

According to USACE, the hangar will house six Mi-17 maintenance bays, with back shops and office space to accommodate first-line and second-line maintenance and management functions of a central aircraft maintenance organization.

• Date Taken: 01.17.2011
• Date Posted: 01.26.2011 10:17
• Story ID: 64254
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ