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Members of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division rush toward a UH-60 Black Hawk from B. Co., 4-3 AHB, as they prepare to depart the pick-up zone after a successful mission. Brian P. Henretta

Iraqi Army conducts first air assault mission

By Spc. Brian Henretta

BAGHDAD (Army News Service, June 13, 2005) – Iraqi soldiers, working with Coalition aviation assets, conducted the Iraqi Army’s first air assault June 1.

Approximately 35 soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division were inserted into a landing zone near several small towns and villages outside of Baghdad to conduct raids and door-to-door searches for bomb and vehicle-born, IED-making materials, as well as specific persons of interest, said Capt. Jennifer Reynolds, commander of B Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter Battalion).

The Iraqi Soldiers were trained, supported and transported by pilots and crew chiefs from B Co., 4-3 AHB. The mission was viewed as a large success by everyone involved.

The process of teaching the Iraqi soldiers how to conduct an air assault mission began with hours of training the previous day.

“We trained them the same way we train U.S. Soldiers. We practiced entering and exiting the aircraft, what to do during the approach to a landing zone and establishing a perimeter,” said Spc. John Carrico, a crew chief with B Co., 4-3 AHB from Indian Mound, Tenn.

Staff Sgt. Mark Bilon, a native of Dededo, Guam, and a crew chief with B Co., 4-3 AHB, said the Iraqi soldiers were fast learners and their training went very smooth. The only challenge, he added, was the language barrier, which would eventually be overcome with the use of interpreters.

“The Iraqis were very motivated and excited during the entire process,” said Carrico.

The excitement was evident on the day of their mission. After the Black Hawks touched down in the pickup zone, the Iraqi forces hurried inside and many cheered during the aircraft’s takeoff.

The Iraqi Army soldiers were flown to a landing zone secured by Coalition and Iraqi Forces. From there, Reynolds said, they joined U.S. Soldiers from K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to perform the raids and searches of nearby villages.

The mission was a resounding success for the members of 4-3 AHB and the U.S. Soldiers were proud to be a part of history for the Iraqi Army.

“I’m all about helping Iraqis and help facilitate their training,” said Bilon. “These are my favorite types of missions and I hope we can do more of them. I’ll do anything to help a buddy.”

These thoughts are echoed by Reynolds. She prefers flying assault missions and feels very good about helping train Iraqi forces to be able to take over their country’s security, she said.

(Spc. Brian Henretta is a member of the Aviation Brigade PAO.)

Is Iraq getting an Air Force soon?

(New) Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) and Iraqi Army Air Corps

One of three ex-USAF C-130E of the new Iraqi Air Force.

Last updated: 25 May 2005

Introduction:

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, it became evident that Iraq would need to rebuild its air force from scratch. In April 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) announced that the first steps to form a New Iraqi Air Force were taken. The new Iraqi Air Force is required to carry out border patrol and aerial surveillance. Especially a capability in the latter role is needed to secure Iraq's network of oil piping. Iraq is also required to build up its transport capability of both cargo and personnel, including VIPs.

At the same time, the Iraqi Army is being reformed. At this time, it is believed that the Iraqi Army will have its own air component. For ease, we will report about the aircraft and helicopters for both services in this report.

Light Aircraft:

The first aircraft to enter service with the newly formed Iraqi Air Force, were two Seeker SB7L-360 light surveillance aircraft. The contract was awarded after an accelerated tender in June 2004 to Seabird Aviation Jordan, a joint venture between Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau and Seabird Aviation Australia. The contract worth 2.3 million USD included training, maintenance and support. The Seabird Seekers were handed over on 29 July 2004 and airlifted by a USAF C-130H to Basrah Air Base on 18 August 2004. The aircraft carry a sand-colored camoflage, the Iraqi flag on the fin, and serials YI-101 and YI-102.

Although initially believed to be destined for Seabird, the follow up order for more light utility aircraft was awarded to a US company offering the SAMA CH2000 built by Jordan Aerospace Industries. The aircraft is based on the Canadian design of the Zenair Zenith 2000. The contract is for eight of the two-seat aircraft with an option for eight more. With a rate of two per month, the initial batch of 8 aircraft will be fully delivered in March 2005, although some delays are expected. Reportedly 70 Squadron will be the first to receive the aircraft at Basrah Air Base. The second batch will go to 2 Squadron at Kirkuk AB. Both squadrons are expected to be fully operational in September 2005.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has donated four Aerocomp Comp Air 7SL turboprop light aircraft. The 6-seat aircraft were delivered on 13 November 2004 and are equipped with a recce sensor suite. But it is believed they will be operated primarily in the utility role, because of its larger passenger capacity.

Transports:

Jordan has donated two C-130B Hercules tactical transport aircraft. The aircraft were formerly in service with the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) but were put into storage in the early 1990s. Prior to delivery, they will be fully overhauled. The CPA announced in April 2004 a requirement of a total of six C-130 Hercules aircraft. Three ex-USAF C-130E Hercules aircraft were handed over in January 2005 by the United States. Prior to delivery the aircraft had been overhauled and although still in USAF transport colors it carries Iraqi Air Force titles and the Iraqi flag on the tail. The C-130 fleet will be operated by 23rd Iraqi Transport Squadron from Al Muthana Air Base in Baghdad, when its facilities are ready.

The 23rd Iraqi Transport Squadron was originally activated on July 14, 1965, at Al Rasheed Air Base. Its primary mission was and will continue to be transporting military personnel and equipment. About 65 Iraqi Air Force personnel, including four crews, have completed a four-month lead-in course in Jordan and will now be trained to fly and maintain the new airplanes.

Helicopters:

Jordan donated 16 ex-RJAF UH-1H utility helicopters. The helicopters are overhauled prior to delivery, the last aircraft to be expected for delivery in February 2006 (some sources report April 2005). Reportedly the first 14 of 48 pilots have completed training and the first six UH-1Hs have been delivered. They will operated from Taji (Tadji?) AB in two squadrons, believed to be 2 and 4 Squadron.

The UAE donated four Bell JetRanger helicopters in December 2004. The aircraft will be based at Basrah AB until Baghdad International Airport is ready. Reportedly, they will be part of 3 Squadron.

On 15 December 2004, the new Iraqi Ministry of Defence signed two contracts for more helicopters with Polish state-owned defence industry consortium BUMAR. The first contract worth about 132 million USD covered 20 PZL Swidnik W-3 Sokol helicopters. The helicopters were destined for the Iraqi Army and would have been delivered in November 2005. The order consisted of four VIP configured, four MEDEVAC configured and twelve armed assault helicopters. The contract included the training of ten Iraqi pilots and 24 maintenance and technical personnel. However BUMAR announced in mid April 2005 that the contract will not proceed as planned. It is believed that the delivery schedule proposed by PZL Swidnik were not acceptable. For the time being, only two W-3s will be delivered in 2005 for testing.

The second contract worth 105 million USD includes among other equipment the delivery of 24 Mil Mi-17 helicopters. BUMAR will deliver reworked second-hand Mi-17 it has already acquired from an undisclosed source. The overhaul work will be carried out at the PZL-1 military helicopters repair plant at Lodz. It is not yet known whether the Mi-17s will be delivered to the Army or Air Force or be split between the services.

The Polish Deputy Defence Minister has stated that some of the equipment used by the Polish troops currently deployed in Iraq, may stay in the country for the new Iraqi armed forces. This equipment will probably include some W-3 helicopters. Also a new order for a number of Sokols is expected and could exceed the initial figure of 20.

Training:

For training of Iraqi Air Force aircrews and personnel, the commander of the Iraqi Air Force has requested support from the Polish Air Force. The Polish Air Force Academy at Deblin was assessed by the Iraqi Air Force and fully meets the requirement. The long-term cooperation includes training for fast jet pilots, helicopter and transport aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, ground intercept controllers and technicians. All training will start with an six-month English course, general military training and physical training.