Free Republic

Iraqis took over control of civilian air traffic at Baghdad Airport yesterday, but they won't assume full responsibility for the country's airspace until later this year. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will retain control of most of Iraq's airspace during a five-step handover process. The transition to Iraqi civilian control is seen as essential to establishing an independent civilian aviation system (DAILY, May 10).

Air traffic controllers own Iraqi sky TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Caryn Baksis informs Senior Airman Jesse Fox of an aircraft entering the Tallil airspace that is being controlled by the Kuwaiti Center. Airmen Baksis and Fox are 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron air traffic controllers. Airman Baksis is deployed from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and Airman Fox is deployed from Ellsworth AFB, S.D. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner) View Larger Download HiRes by Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs1/22/2004 - TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- From American and coalition aircraft to civilian...