Iraqis learn, overcome challenges of helo operations

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Don Branum
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TAJI AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Iraqi helicopter aircrews are increasingly in demand as Iraqi security forces assume responsibility of their nation's security from their American counterparts. 

These crews are trained at Taji Air Base, Iraq, using UH-1 Hueys and Mi-17 Hips, where they learn the ins and outs of helicopter operations, including special and night operations.

"We know (the Mi-17) and have been flying it for many years," said Iraqi Lt. Col. Ahmed Thwinee, an instructor pilot who first joined the Iraqi air force in 1982 and flew with the first Mi-17 Hip helicopter squadron in 1986. "It's the easiest helicopter to get qualified on." 

The Iraqi army controlled helicopter operations before 2003 and used the Mi-17s for launching flares, dropping bombs against enemy forces and carrying soldiers into ground assault missions.

The airmen of 15th Squadron are split into three groups, because the squadron does not have its own helicopters, Colonel Ahmed said. The first group is comprised of pilots with more than 2,000 flying hours in Eastern aircraft such as the Mi-17. The second group includes intermediate pilots with fewer than 2,000 flying hours, and the third group consists of novice pilots with very few flying hours. Their daytime classes include English and radio communication.

The Iraqi air force heeds the advice of U.S. Air Force advisers from the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, but doesn't always choose to operate the same way. One example is the Iraqi airmen's work schedule -- they work through mornings and evenings and rest during the sweltering afternoons. The 770th AEAS Airmen saw the benefits of staying out of the heat and quickly adopted the same hours.

In other cases, the Iraqi airmen change the way they do business.

"After we finish our briefings, we talk about one aircraft system and one emergency procedure just among ourselves," said Maj. Mike Volkerding, an Mi-17 pilot adviser who is deployed from the 36th Rescue Flight at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. "It keeps our brains alert and primed for the mission." 

The two-challenge rule is also an important part of the training.

"One pilot may get fixated on one thing," Major Volkerding said. "If you give the student pilot a command twice, and he doesn't do it on the second try, you take over the controls. The two-challenge rule is always important, but for a young pilot, it's even more important."

The pilots who make up today's Iraqi air force gave up well-paying jobs to serve their country, Colonel Ahmed said.

"We want people to feel they are safe," he said. "We want them to feel like someone is looking after their safety. When people see the Iraqi air force flying, they will know that they are protected." 

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