Posted on 09/30/2008 4:48:02 PM PDT by SandRat
TAJI — The Iraqi Air Force training school held a combined Warrant Officer graduation ceremony on Sept. 29, 2008.
291 Airmen completed courses in Basic Military Training and Basic Technical Training at the Air Force Training School, and Communications Training from the Iraqi Army signal school.
Iraqi Air Force Commander Gen. Kamal and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. (S) Bash, Coalition Air Force Transition Team commanding general, were in attendance.
“This is your first step to a brighter future,” said Kamal in a speech to the new graduates. “You are now part of the Iraqi Air Force family.”
The courses lasted approximately 60 days and focused on basic military training, basic aircraft maintenance and technical training, professional military education and basic communication technical training.
The Warrant Officers trained at the Taji Iraqi Air Force training school received instruction by Iraqi-led instructors. The candidates who attended the Iraqi Army signal school are the first group of commissioned Signal Warrant Officers for the new Iraqi Air Force.
"The number one priority of the Iraqi Air Force is to help them grow a force that is capable of fighting and winning the counter insurgency fight in Iraq," said Bash.
After the Warrant Officer Basic Military Training course, the graduates will continue their training in advanced aircraft maintenance and communications, also taught in Taji.
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