TAJI AIR BASE — Iraqi helicopter aircrews are increasingly in demand as Iraqi security forces assume responsibility of their nation's security from their American counterparts.
Four Iraqi Air Force squadrons train to conduct helicopter operations here, using UH-1 Hueys and Mi-17 Hips. The Iraqi Air Force's 15th Squadron trains its pilots for special operations, including night operations.
The Iraqi Army controlled helicopter operations before 2003 and used the Mi-17s for launching flares, dropping bombs against enemy forces and carrying Soldiers into ground assault missions.
The Iraqi Air Force heeds the advice of the U.S. Air Force advisers but doesn't always choose to operate the same way. One example is the Iraqi Airmen's work schedule -- they work through mornings and evenings and rest during the sweltering afternoons. The 770th AEAS' Airmen saw the benefits of staying out of the heat and quickly adopted the same hours.
In other cases, the Iraqi Airmen change the way they do business.
"After we finish our briefings, we talk about one aircraft system and one emergency procedure just among ourselves," said an Mi-17 pilot adviser who is deployed from the 36th Rescue Flight at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. "It keeps our brains alert and primed for the mission."
The assembled airmen went on to discuss the Mi-17's hydraulic systems and the two-challenge rule.
"One pilot may get fixated on one thing," the pilot adviser said. "If you give the student pilot a command twice, and he doesn't do it on the second try, you take over the controls. The two-challenge rule is always important, but for a young pilot, it's even more important."
The pilots who make up today's Iraqi Air Force gave up well-paying jobs to serve their country.
"We want people to feel they are safe," a student pilot said. "We want them to feel like someone is looking after their safety. When people see the Iraqi Air Force flying, they will know they are protected."
(Story by Staff Sgt. Don Branum)