Posted on 11/26/2009 10:19:09 AM PST by SandRat
Col. Sami Saeed (right), commander of the Iraqi Air Force’s 70th Squadron, conducts preflight checks on a CH2000 surveillance plane during training on Contingency Operating Base Basrah, Nov. 19. Photo by Spc. Samuel Soza, 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
COB BASRAH — Reaching a critical training milestone, the Iraqi Air Force’s (IqAF) 70th Squadron is now conducting its own training from beginning to end, ushering in an era of independence it has worked toward so diligently.
The goal has always been to create a sustainable training squadron that can effectively transition new recruits into operational missions and put the protection of Iraqis into their own hands, said Col. Sami Saeed, squadron commander for the 70th.
One important tactic was taking advantage of the "train the trainer" mentality, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Al Danza, a Boise, Idaho, native and director of operations in the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron.
The self sustaining method allows the squadron to pass on basic knowledge but also creates an element of leadership training.
"We started off with simple air to ground check-ins with the ground commander as the mission began," said Danza.
"It was all basic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance stuff; teaching them to fly with their [sensor] pods," he said.
Training begins with lectures, written exams and courses on in-flight emergencies and limitations. The new pilots also learn the technical aspects of the surveillance cameras.
Soon after, without any time in simulation, the pilots are two thousand feet in the air, putting their classroom instruction to practical use.
Eventually, the lessons have the pilots following multiple vehicles and individuals, monitoring buildings and searching main supply routes for improvised explosive devices.
"It's become natural for them, just like anybody else and now they are able to work on the more advanced stuff," said Danza.
In training, U.S. Airmen act as the opposing force. They drive around Contingency Operating Base Basrah in a truck while the unit's Seabird Seekers and CH2000 surveillance planes identify and follow them.
During another scenario, the Airmen are on foot and go into a building while the Iraqi pilots circle overhead, keeping watch.
"They are constantly communicating with the ground commander, who is also a student, and since they are working with the Iraqi Special Operation Forces, their surveillance will allow them to find the [operation forces] on the ground," Danza explained.
The integration of ground forces allows multiple personnel to experience more realistic training at the same time.
"And that's where we are today, doing the more complex type missions as these guys have gotten used to what the missions entail," said Danza. "They have the equipment, they know how to use it, now it's just about transitioning from a training aspect to an operational environment.”
I've found that pilots are pilots, the world over. I mean these guys, we instantly bonded being fighter pilots," he continued.
The squadron is made up of pilots who flew in the Iran-Iraq War and have hundreds of hours of combined flight time.
The IqAF was founded in 1931 and steadily rose to be one of the largest air forces in the Middle-East until the Persian Gulf War, when it sustained heavy losses.
Soon after, during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, many fighter jets were ordered to be dismantled or buried in the desert.
After the invasion, it was a lengthy process to rebuild what had been lost.
The IqAF performed its first medical evacuation March 4, 2007, when a wounded Iraqi Policeman was taken from the 28th Combat Support Hospital to Baghdad.
In 2008, it played a major role in assisting ground troops in the heavy fighting against the Mahdi army in the city of Basrah.
Now, the 70th is helping with border security, conducting over flights of cities and performing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions around oil pipelines.
Furthering the independence of the 70th to train, plan and conduct operations is a milestone in the reconstruction of the IqAF as a whole.
"I think they have strong leadership in place right now and I think their leadership is driven towards that goal," said Danza. "Just like anybody else in the military, they love their country and want to support it as much as they can, so they are going to drive toward those operational goals and be able to perform any mission that is tasked toward them."
Saeed also sees a sustainable training squadron and the confidence it instills as one more step toward the recovery of Iraq.
"Before, we would get in our planes and not expect to come home," he said. "Now it is different."
(By Spc. Samuel Soza, 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
What planes do they fly?
Other than the CH2000 surveillance plane I don’t know.
Yet more evidence that Bush’s policies in Iraq were a drastic failure! /sarc
It's a step, although a high-wing would have been better for the mission...
Airplanes with spats may be dated, but they do look sharp.
My lexdystia is acting up today.
What about the other 69 squadrons?
Thanks for the info!
I’m impressed! Will they be able to take down the Iranian AF if necessary after Zero pulls our troops out? /sarc
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