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New Iraqi Air Force facilities essential for force generation

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Saturday, 27 December 2008

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No. 081227-04

December 27, 2008

Contact: pao@iraq.centcom.milThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

DSN: 318-852-1332

IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270

New Iraqi Air Force facilities essential for force generation

By U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Rob Cohen

BAGHDAD — A $4.7 million project is ongoing to improve the Iraqi Air Force infrastructure and facilities at New al-Muthana Air Base here.

Two barracks buildings and associated facilities will be constructed as part of the project, also slated to repair eight generators and water and wastewater distribution systems. Once repaired, these systems will have the capacity to support the growth of each Iraqi Air Force squadron at NAMAB.

The Iraqi Air Force’s Squadron 23’s fleet of C-130Es provides tactical airlift support of distinguished visitors, passengers, Army troops, patients, prisoner transfers, and cargo. Squadron 87’s fleet of King Air 350s provide reconnaissance and light transportation. Despite very different missions, these squadrons face the same problem—a lack of adequate housing for personnel and base infrastructure.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Craig Thomas, Base Transition Engineer for Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq’s Coalition Air Force Training Team, said, “NAMAB has currently exceeded available capacity … until new dorms are complete, the Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) does not have the capability to grow at NAMAB. [Without these facilities,] force generation for training and operational missions will cease and decisive points to establish the foundation for a credible and enduring IqAF will not be reached.”

To overcome the housing shortage and dilapidated infrastructure, CAFTT worked with the IqAF to determine their facility requirements. These requirements evolved into a project spearheaded by CAFTT and MNSTC-I’s J7 (Engineer) directorate.

The NAMAB Vice-Commander said, “Thank God for these dorms. We can now quit living like sardines in a can. Overcrowding is a real problem here and we can’t wait for these dorms to allow us to spread out. Thank you for what you are doing to help us.”

Housing and facility improvements for Squadron 23 are scheduled to be complete by May 2009.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT PAO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MILThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT: WWW.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL .