JBB officials host first Iraqi air force logistics commander summit

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber R. Kelly-Herard
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) --  An Iraqi Air Force C-130 landed here July 6 carrying IqAF logistics wing commanders from across the country, Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Air staff advisors and IqAF logistics staff members including the Iraqi director of logistics. This was the first IqAF logistics wing commander summit

"The purpose for the summit was two-fold," said Maj. Brian Beales, ITAM-Air transition team chief. "The first objective was to showcase to the IqAF how a U.S. Air Force logistics machine operates. The second objective was to give them an avenue to collaborate and discuss common concerns and objectives with respect to logistical operations."

During the day, the summit attendees visited the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing aerial port, cargo area, passenger terminal and civil engineer shops including electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

"U.S. Airmen were present to discuss U.S. manpower requirements and capabilities," said the major who is deployed from the Pentagon. "This was (an) opportunity (for the visitors) to view the USAF operationally tested logistics machine and to see what capabilities are out there, as they rebuild IqAF logistical operations.

"It was also the first opportunity for them to talk to each other and develop lines of communication," Beales said. "One of the topics discussed at the summit was the potential of sharing equipment between bases as requirements develop."

The success of this summit will lead to a smoother transition as the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq continues, JBB officials said.

"This was a major step forward for the ITAM-Air mission," he said. "It is an honor to have the opportunity to be a facilitator between the 332nd AEW and IqAF. It's a unique experience that not everyone gets."