Air Force flight surgeons hand over training mission to Iraqis

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
NEW AL MUTHANA AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNS) --  As U.S. forces withdraw over the next year, Iraqi air force members have begun the process of taking over the new missions and responsibilities including the aeromedical training of flight medical technicians here.

The four-week training course is now taught by Iraqi flight medics with coalition oversight, and soon, the Iraqi instructors will have complete oversight of the course.

"This is a very important mission for me and for the Iraqi air force," said Iraqi air force Lt. Amar K. Gaad, a nurse and flight medic instructor. "We are here to save lives so our army counterparts can focus on their mission and on their service to our country."

After graduating June 4, the class of 18 newly certified Iraqi flight medics will be well equipped to directly support their assigned military units in the airborne medical evacuation of their unit's casualties in helicopters and C-130 aircraft.

"Upon graduation, the new flight medics will be able to care for their patients while transporting them via air to medical facilities" said Col. (Dr.) William W. Dodson III, a Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq surgeon. "This will add to the strength of the Iraqi military."