Iraqi, American fighter pilots band together at Balad

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Two former enemies came together for lunch in the spirit of friendship July 20.

Six Iraqi air force pilots and 10 American pilots shared stories over lunch at a dining facility and then took pictures together in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon here.

Despite speaking two vastly different languages, the pilots had no problems understanding each other. Like American pilots, the Iraqi pilots used hand gestures to describe the details of their adventures.

"There is a special language between us pilots," said Col. Khaled Khadem, the former deputy commander at Balad Air Base before Operation Iraqi Freedom began. "We like to talk with our hands."

Earlier this month, Colonel Khadem spoke with Col. Blair Hansen, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, about the opportunity to bring a few Iraqi pilots together with American pilots for lunch. After more than an hour behind closed doors, both came out laughing and in good spirits.

The Iraqi colonel said pilots, whether they fight for the same cause or not, share a common love for their profession.

"There is always friendship between pilots, even if they are fighting against each other," Colonel Khadem said. "Iraqi pilots are just like American pilots. Flying is like a hobby, not a job."

At the peak of United Nations sanctions against Iraq in the mid-1990s, Colonel Khadem said he was paid only $3 per month.

"The salary was bad, and we had to work without air conditioning, but we stayed," he said. "Even when we lacked the spare parts needed for the aircraft, we still stayed because we loved our job and our country."

Colonel Khadem said no matter how bad the situation was, when he took off in his MiG-23 Flogger, all the problems disappeared.

After an hour of hand gestures and laughs during lunch, Colonel Hansen thanked his new Iraqi friends.

"Some of us have met in the air as enemies, but now we hope to meet in the air as friends," he said. "Today we welcome our friends and partners. It's an honor to be in your country. We look forward to helping you rebuild a stronger air force."

The Iraqi pilots were then offered the chance to see one of the aircraft they had tried to destroy for nearly a decade -- the F-16.

As they walked toward the aircraft, Colonel Khadem's face glistened with anticipation.

Lt. Col. Mike Buck, a 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot and Operation Southern Watch veteran, invited the colonel to take a seat inside and try out the flight controls.

"Somebody pinch me, because I must be dreaming," Colonel Khadem said. "It has always been one of my dreams to see the F-16 up close."

As the colonel slipped out of the cockpit and ran his hands across the edge of the airframe, he said, "The F-16 is a very smooth and beautiful aircraft compared to the MiG-23."

Colonel Khadem, who currently works near the base, told his American counterparts every time he sees an F-16 take off and make a hard turn, his heart sinks as if he was in the cockpit.

The 20-year veteran pilot said he hopes that one day he will have the opportunity to fly for his country.

"I just can't live without flying," he said.