Iraqi Air Force Takes off with Aircraft Delivery
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, Iraq -- Multi-National Forces and Iraqi military leaders gathered at a secure air facility in Iraq to celebrate the activation of the 23rd Iraqi Air Force Squadron.
The United States presented three C-130E cargo planes to Iraq in an effort to jumpstart Iraqi airlift capabilities. The large airplanes were overhauled, including a new exterior paint job touched off with Iraqi flags on the tail sections.
The 23rd Iraqi Transport Squadron was originally activated on July 14, 1965, at Al Rasheed Air Base. Its primary mission was and will continue to be transporting military personnel and equipment. About 65 Iraqi Air Force personnel, including four crews, have completed a four-month lead-in course in Jordan and will now be trained to fly and maintain the new airplanes.
A standard crew on a C-130 is five, two pilots, a navigator, radio operator and loadmaster. Flight training will continue with assistance from the Coalition Military Assistance Training Teams assigned to this mission. U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel A. DeVoe, an adviser support team member from the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, is looking forward to the challenge.
"We are making progress," he said. "Although Iraqi crews have not flown these airplanes yet, the familiarization process is going well."
Additional training will be provided to the Iraqi airmen in the United States on flight simulators.
Prior to the start of the ceremony, Iraqi Air Force personnel followed Iraqi custom by slaughtering five sheep in honor of the occasion. Blood from the sheep was collected and used to mark the sides of the planes as well as the occasion. Bloody hand prints could be seen on every plane.
The sacrifice was offered in celebration of the new beginning of the Iraqi Air Force and usually signifies a good omen and is symbolic of being under God's protection, explained an Iraqi at the ceremony. Later the lamb would be prepared and served to the Iraqi airmen as a meal.
Multi-National Forces and Iraqi delegations attendees included U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan, Combined Forces Air Component commander; U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James Schwitters, CMATT commanding general; Iraqi Lt. Gen. Nasir Al Abadi, deputy chief of staff, Iraqi Armed Forces; and Maj. Gen. Kamal Al Barzanjy, Iraqi Air Force commander.
"Today is a good day for the Iraqi Air Force as you begin to write a new chapter in the proud legacy of Squadron 23," Buchanan said. "More importantly, today is a good day for the people of Iraq. I am delighted with the activation of the 23rd Squadron, but I am overjoyed by yet another step toward a free and fully sovereign Iraq."
Royal Air Force Wing Cmdr. Steve Shell said it was a proud day for his Iraqi colleagues.
"These aircraft will make a big difference to the Air Force contribution to independent operations," he said.
Abadi was also a featured speaker at the brief ceremony and exchanged gifts with Buchanan at the conclusion. Abadi praised the cooperation and support of Multi-National Forces and personally thanked a number of them.
"I would like to thank Multi-National Forces for their generosity and helping to put Iraq back on its feet," he said. "We are announcing today the re-activation and re-establishment of Squadron 23, and we extend our best wishes to our Air Force."
Once all training is completed Squadron 23 will move operations to Al Muthana Air Base in Baghdad where maintenance, staff and support facilities are being readied. In due course, they will be joined by Squadron 3, which has fixed wing and helicopter assets.
The ceremony ended with the band playing while the unit guidon was unveiled for the assembly. The pennant, with yellow lettering, read: "Squadron 23," and waved in the dusty breeze.
According to one Soldier who had inspected one of the planes, "It was the cleanest C-130 I have ever seen. Even the ladders were newly painted!"
Release #050116r
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