Photo By Master Sgt. Andrew Lee | Three T-6A Texan IIs fly over formations of Iraqi Army soldiers during the annual Army...... read more read more
BAGHDAD - The new Iraqi Air Force flew a record number of aircraft during the annual Iraqi Army Day Parade at the International Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 6.
Iraqi crews piloted 20 aircraft in 12 fly-overs and aerial demonstrations over a parade field filled with government officials from allied nation and Iraqi government leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Pilot Lt. Gen. Ahmed Anwar, Iraqi Air Force commander.
“This is definitely a significant milestone in the development of the Iraqi Air Force,” said Capt. Martin Lopez, 52nd Expeditionary Fighter Training Squadron T-6 instructor pilot, Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq. “It demonstrates their increasing capabilities and movement toward complete air sovereignty.”
The record participation was made possible with the continuing success of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission.
The T-6A Texan II is a single-engined turboprop aircraft. The first eight aircraft, purchased by the Government of Iraq, arrived in Tikrit early last year.
The T-6 is used by the U.S. Air Force and Iraqi Air Force for advanced pilot training. It’s now playing a significant role in helping re-establish Iraq’s air fleet.
The new Iraqi Air Force was formed following the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
It currently performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and transport missions and has indicated it intends to add an air superiority capability.
Iraqi officials are in the final negotiations with the United States to acquire F-16 air-to-air and air-to-ground multi role fighter.
They also have plans to add the C-130J model to the inventory.
The newer Hercules aircraft would provide a longer range and more reliable transport for Iraqi forces. It currently has three C-130E models that are more than 40 years old.
“The quality of skill and discipline of the Iraqis have greatly improved,” said Capt. Lopez, native of Grants, N.M., who is on a six-month deployment from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. “They’re taking the training seriously. I’ve seen improvement since I arrived in October.”
American and Iraqi pilots fly together in training aircraft like the T-6A, featured in the aerial demonstration during the Iraqi Army Day celebration.
Pilots from Tikrit have entered the qualification phase of the nearly year-long training. The school expects to graduate 16 qualified Iraqi T-6 pilots by the end of the year.
For the Iraqi Army Day parade, Thursday, rated and qualified Iraqi pilots flew three CH-2000s, three Cessna-172s and two 208s, a Serbian Lasta 95, two AC-208, two King Air 350s, a C-130E and six T-6A Texan IIs.
“The objective of our training is to provide a corps of pilots for a stable, self-sufficient nation,” said Capt. Lopez. “The largest participation of aircraft in the Army parade shows we’re on track.”
| Date Taken: | 01.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2011 02:02 |
| Story ID: | 63215 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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