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An Iraqi aircrew flies an Iraqi air force Huey II in support of ground operations in Mosul. Members of the Iraqi air force have increased its role during three missions to include Mosul, Sadr City and Bosrah. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Iraqi air force supports Mosul, other operations
Posted 5/16/2008
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by Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
447th Air Expedtionary Group Public Affairs
5/16/2008 - SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Members of the Iraqi air force integrated and synchronized with Iraqi special forces in an effort to dissolve the al-Qaida in Iraq influence since early May in Mosul, Iraq.
In less than two weeks, the Iraqi air force members have moved more than 3 tons of cargo and 251 passengers into Mosul using both fixed-wing and helicopter operations.
"It's a new thing for Iraq's air force to back the forces in the Mosul's operations," said General Mohammed al-Askari, a spokesman for Iraq's ministry of defense.
In addition to "bullets and beans" to the ground troops, the Iraqi air force airmen have conducted many intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and have dropped informational leaflets to the citizens of Mosul.
"The air force managed to secure a 24-hour video transmission of all Ninewa's streets and neighborhoods to the Ninewa operations command and to military commanders through a state-of-art system," General Mohammed al-Askari said. "The aircraft are providing the commanders with continued video footages to determine the tension areas and gunmen hideouts."
Members of the Iraqi air force have flown 10 missions, more than 24 hours, in direct support of the operation in Mosul.
"The Iraqi people should be very proud of their air force. They are directly supporting the Iraqi army in the fight against insurgents and criminals," said Brig. Gen. Brooks L. Bash, the Coalition Air Force Training Team commander.
The operation in Mosul is only one of three the Iraqi air force has supported from the sky. Operation Charge of the Knights is still in full swing in Basra, as well as supporting Sadr City security operations, keeping the Iraqi air force members at the forefront of the battlefield for the first time since 2003.
"It is a significant accomplishment for the Iraqi air force to be successfully supporting simultaneous operations in Mosul, Sadr City and Basrah despite the very significant challenges of rebuilding their Air Force," General Bash said.
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