Posted on 01/24/2009 9:34:51 AM PST by SandRat
CAMP TAJI — In a show of partnership between the U.S. and Iraqi Air Force (IqAF), pilots from both countries recently flew personnel transport missions over Baghdad for the first time as a combined flight.
Lt. Col. Shamkky Abbas, IqAF 2nd Squadron training officer, led the combined aviation mission over the Iraqi capital, as the aircraft made stops at various Coalition force bases in the greater Baghdad area.
“The significance of this mission is the speed in which the [Iraqi] Air Force is progressing,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Michael McNerney, commander, 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron (AEAS).
“While the ground forces have received a large amount of resources and attention for over five years, the Air Force has received very little until about a year and a half ago,” McNerney continued. “The Iraqi rotary wing force has made great strides [during this time] and is ready to accept a much larger role in the counter-insurgency efforts.”
Obtaining these critical “resources” for the IqAF rotary wing component at Taji is a responsibility that rests solely on the members of the 721st AEAS.
The 721st AEAS, also known as a Coalition Air Force Transition Team (CAFTT), is responsible for aiding the development of the IqAF helicopter forces at Camp Taji in order to create an organization that is a credible and effective contributor to the security of Iraq, McNerney said. Combined aviation missions are an important part of IqAF growth.
“I think this event demonstrates another example of the continuing growth and maturity of the IqAF,” said Maj. Michael Best, Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) executive officer. “Every event the IqAF conducts in the battle space is a positive move in the right direction for the development of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and their role in defending their nation.”
Best described the event as positive for all parties involved and reiterated the importance of interaction between Coalition troops and their ISF counterparts.
“It is a positive event when we can partner with the IqAF,” he said. “Just as it is important for the ground brigade combat teams to have continuous interaction with their ISF counterparts, the CAB is now being afforded the same opportunity as the IqAF reestablished itself.”
As the IqAF continues to forge new abilities and works to assume full responsibility of aviation operations in Iraq, the Iraqi people are beginning to take note of the growing force as aircraft marked with the Iraqi national flag fly overhead.
“Almost anytime we fly over, the Iraqi people come running out of their homes and wave at the aircraft,” said Capt. Hank Luke, 721st AEAS chief of training. “I think the people feel a sense of pride and security in seeing the Iraqi flag on the helicopter’s belly over their heads. Knowing that the [Government of Iraq] is projecting its security forces throughout the country is absolutely critical to keeping the insurgency at bay, and displaying Iraqi airpower is an important piece of the security plan.”
How COOL!!!!!!!!!!!
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