Iraqi air force postured to break records

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Iraqi air force members are making their mark in history. The fledging air power has proven its effectiveness through the execution of combat missions in Basrah, Mosul and Sadr City, and the year-to-date tally marks for aircraft sorties broke 5,000 last week.

The IQAF has roughly 100 pilots assigned to its eight rotary and fixed-wing flying units, making their achievements even more impressive, officials said.

"We are now seeing concrete evidence that (the IQAF) have returned to the (sky) and are proving themselves a credible force for safety, security and sovereignty," said Col. David Penny, the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group commander. "The Iraqis' sortie production rate is already 80 percent higher than it was last year. That's auspicious for any nation's air force."

The drastic increase in missions is a result of the Iraqi government recognizing their air force's value in a joint effort to defeat terrorists, Colonel Penny said.

"Last year, we were building an air force together. We helped the Iraqis build some basic infrastructure, acquire aircraft, recruit personnel and redevelop the processes required to get their air force airborne again," he said. "This year, they have taken the reins in operations. They're working very hard, and their efforts are working to dissolve terrorist cells in Iraq."

An IQAF CH-2000 unit in Basrah has been in the forefront of integrating with the Iraqi army and special forces, with more than 518 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and more than 700 training sorties.

Last year, the IQAF flew 7,663 sorties. "At this rate, we can expect to break last year's record by July," Colonel Penny said.

In addition to the eight flying squadrons, trained IQAF pilots are also located at the Iraqi Air Operations Center, the Air Staff and a training college.

In order to maintain their current numbers, the IQAF trains Iraqi pilots at the Air Force Training College at Taji Air Base, Iraq, and a one year satellite officer commissioning school at Ar Rustamayah. Currently, more than 200 trainees are enrolled in the colleges, and more than 300 have already graduated since the coalition and Iraqi team opened the doors in late spring of 2007.

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