Posted on 06/28/2004 3:36:29 PM PDT by cd jones
Iraqi Air Force Gets First Aircraft Aviation Week & Space Technology 06/28/2004, page 11
Edited by Patricia J. Parmalee
Iraqi Air Force
The U.S. Army has scrapped a planned acquisition of eight fixed-wing surveillance airplanes for Iraq because none of the bidders could meet requirements. However, the U.S. Central Command instead has moved forward and purchased two Australian-built SB7L-360 Seeker reconnaissance aircraft for the Iraqi air force with the goal of buying 14 more. The first are set for delivery in mid-July to the Basra airport. The Iraqi air force currently numbers about 150 people and should reach 500 by year-end, U.S. Central Command noted. Jordan also has offered 16 helicopters and two C-130 transports to neighboring Iraq. The Centcom-bought aircraft are being pressed into the same role the U.S. Army had spelled out, surveillance of national infrastructure and borders.
Well, their real first Air Force Aircraft were sort of permanently loaned to the Iranian Air Force in early 1991.
Those were merely their most modern at the time. Mig-29s and a few other types. Then there were the Mig-25 Foxbats found buried in the dessert after Operation Iraqi Freedom. Those were Iraqi Air Force as well, but I'll bet their components are sitting in a hanger in Ohio about now. (Maybe even the infamous hanger 13, once said to house the remains of the Roswell "saucer" and its crew. But I know that they aren't there, they were moved to the basement of what was once known as the FTD, now ATIC, building, which is built on a slab foundation)
Hmmm. That means they are already more powerful than the New Zealand Air Force. I guess it's a start.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.