11/15/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Untied States Central Command Air Forces officials transferred control of Kirkuk air traffic control assigned airspace to the Baghdad Air Control Center Nov. 15.
Under the U.S. CENTAF Airspace Transition Concept, airspace above 29,000 feet was transferred back to Iraq sovereign control. The Baghdad ACC was the first in a series of stages to stand up Aug. 30. Following the completion of the Kirkuk transfer, Ali (southern) airspace control will transfer in the January 2008 timeframe.
When the transition process is complete, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority will be responsible for control of all airspace over Iraq at 29,000 feet and above.
The Combined Forces Air Component Commander retains the authority to take back sections of airspace in order to accomplish any military missions.
