IRAQI PILOTS RECEIVE C-130 TRAINING

Central Command ^ | February 9, 2005

[Clive]

February 9, 2005

Release Number: 05-02-09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAQI PILOTS RECEIVE C-130 TRAINING

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A five-man crew from Squadron 23 of the Iraqi Air Force trained for the first time on flying and operating an American C-130 cargo plane outside of Iraq's air space.

A crew of U.S. Air Force pilots used a five-hour round-trip flight to Amman, Jordan as a training exercise for the Iraqi pilots and crew members. Five other crews from Squadron 23, of Ali Base in Talil, Iraq, were passengers on the flight, heading to training in Jordan. One crew will continue traveling to the U.S. for Hercules simulator training in Little Rock, Ark., said Wing Cmdr. Robert Greene, of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq.

All of the squadron members are experienced crews who are strengthening and expanding their skills after a 12-year lapse under Saddam Hussein's rule, Greene said. This was their first time in the seats of a C-130, he added.

The next phase of training will focus on dealing with emergencies, approaches and landings, and general flying skills.

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[Clive]

0

[Rutles4Ever]

Can you imagine the reactions of these Iraqis getting at the controls of what was once their worst nightmare? Wow.

[Bones75]

Yup. I think it's cool. If they are sincere and want to put their lives on the line to help their contry be free, I think they should be rewarded.

It is neat that they would have once so feared the C-130.. now they got to FLY them! Pretty cool.

Bones

[Calpernia]

A five-man crew from Squadron 23 of the Iraqi Air Force trained for the first time on flying and operating an American C-130 cargo plane outside of Iraq's air space.

A crew of U.S. Air Force pilots used a five-hour round-trip flight to Amman, Jordan as a training exercise for the Iraqi pilots and crew members. Five other crews from Squadron 23, of Ali Base in Talil, Iraq, were passengers on the flight, heading to training in Jordan. One crew will continue traveling to the U.S. for Hercules simulator training in Little Rock, Ark., said Wing Cmdr. Robert Greene, of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq.

[onedoug]

Great plane. Thanks for the pic.

[Calpernia]

CLARK AIR BASE, Phillippines -- Silhouetted by the setting sun, a C-130 Hercules aircraft prepares to land during a 10-ship air drop exercise being conducted by the 21st Tactical Airlift Squadron, 374th Tactical Airlift Wing.

[Calpernia]

The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. C-130s operate throughout the U.S. Air Force, serving with Air Mobility Command, theater commands, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations. Basic and specialized versions of the aircraft airframe perform a diverse number of roles, including airlift support, Arctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, aerial spray missions, fire-fighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service and natural disaster relief missions.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[RightWingRadio]

Ping

[blackie]

Training the good guys ~ Bump!

[windchime]

Bump!