News>Iraqi Air Force receives three C130J aircraft
Photos
Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Hamad Amen, Iraqi Air Force Commander, shakes hands with Heidi Grant, Deputy Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, International Affairs, in the cockpit of the Iraqi Air Force's C-130J aircraft in Murietta, GA, Dec.12, 2012. The Iraqi Air Force's received three C-130J by Dec. 12 and will receive three more in 2013. (Courtesy photo by Lockhead Martin’s Damien Guarnieri)
Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Hamad Amen, Iraqi Air Force Commander, speaks to the crowd inside the main C-130 production line building in Marietta, Ga, Dec. 12, 2012. The first C-130Js for Iraq were presented at this ceremony to mark the delivery to Iraq. The aircraft in the background is Iraq's fourth of six. (Courtesy photo by Lockhead Martin’s Todd R. McQueen)
Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Hamad Amen, Iraqi Air Force Commander, and his staff walk towards the Lockhead Martin facility after looking at the C-130J that will be delivered from Marietta, GA as the first three to Iraq Dec. 12, 2012. (Courtesy photo by Lockhead Martin’s John Rossino)
Lockheed Martin delivered three C-130J Super Hercules to the Iraqi Air Force, two months ahead of schedule, the third of which departed the Marietta, GA, Dec 12, 2012. The Iraqi Air Force will use the airlifters for intra-theater support for its troops and to provide humanitarian relief operations in various locations. (Courtesy photo by Lockhead Martin)
Iraqi officials, Lockhead Martin Senior Leaders and Air Force leaders pose for a picture in front of the C-130J that will be delivered to Iraq from Marietta, GA, Dec 12, 2012. From left to right: Jack Crisler, Lockheed Martin Vice President Business Development, Colonel John Drohan, DCMA Commander Marietta, Iraqi Interpreter, Staff Colonel, Sameer Fareed, Abdul Hameed, C-130 Command Pilot, Staff Brigadier General Ali Alaaragy, Iraqi Defense Attaché in Washington, DC, Staff Brigadier General Mohammed Abdulkareem Awni AL-SAADI, New Al Muthana Air Base Commander, Shan Cooper, Lockheed Martin Vice President and Site General Manager Marietta, Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Hamad Amen, Iraqi Air Force Commander, Heidi Grant, Deputy Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, International Affairs George Shultz, Lockheed Martin Vice President and General Manager C-130 Programs, Major General Frederick Martin, OSC-1 , George Standridge, Lockheed Martin Vice President Business Development, Lt. Col. Hamid Madab Hussien Al-Imara. (Courtesy photo by Lockhead Martin’s Damien A. Guarnieri)
12/17/2012 - MARIETTA, Ga. (AFNS) -- The Iraqi Air Force celebrated an important milestone when they received a third C-130J aircraft at a rollout ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's factory here Dec. 12, 2012.
The ceremony is a culmination of many activities to reinforce a long-term partnership between the United States and Iraq and highlights Iraq's commitment to enhance its military transportation capabilities.
The ceremony was attended by Ms. Heidi Grant, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs and representatives from Lockheed-Martin, the U.S. Air Force and the IqAF commander, Staff Lt. Gen. Anwar Hamad Amen Ahmed.
Sixteen recently graduated U.S. trained C-130J Iraqi maintainers, seven pilots, and one loadmaster will support the three planes, explained Grant in a speech.
"These crewmembers will form the backbone of this new capability, serve as leaders in training new personnel and will positively shape the future of the Iraqi Air Force," said Grant.
The program's goal is for Iraq to train 18 pilots, 18 loadmasters, and a minimum of 50 maintainers over a period of three years, according to Grant. She anticipates these numbers will grow as the U.S. - Iraqi partnership matures.
The C-130J uses state-of-the-art technology, allowing it to fly farther, climb faster, and take off and land in a shorter distances than earlier versions of the aircraft. It also includes an improved fuel system, making it environmentally friendly as well.
Acquisition of new transport aircraft will provide Iraq with the ability to operate seamlessly with U.S., NATO and coalition forces engaged in a range of operations and missions.
The C-130J purchase agreement with the IqAF provides a total of six C-130J aircraft, support equipment and training. Three were delivered by Dec. 12 and three more will be delivered in 2013.
Comments
12/19/2012 2:32:18 AM ET That's gonna be one busy loadmaster
