Another Step Forward in Iraq

An Iraqi Air Force C-130 prepares for landing. Iraq now controls its C-130 fleet independently, marking an end to the U.S. C-130 advisory mission in Iraq.

I remember sitting at Baghdad International Air Port in 2005 and seeing a C-130 with Iraqi markings on it. It was striking because the US owned the sky and the Iraqi military on the ground was barely holding its own, let alone having a an air force develop. I can only guess that plane was a tiny beginning for the infant Iraqi air force, and to read about the formation of the first independent unit was a heartening story. The lesson, it takes Patience and courage to accomplish what's needed, a lesson the country needs to remember in regards to Afghanistan:

NEW AL-MUTHANA AIR BASE, Iraq (Sept. 30, 2009) – The Iraqi air force officially began fully independent C-130 air operations yesterday, marking the end of the U.S. C-130 air advisory mission here.

A ceremony deactivating the U.S. Air Force’s 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and marking assumption of C-130 operations, maintenance and training by the Iraqi air force’s Squadron 23 formalized the milestone.


Presiding over the event were U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert C. Kane, commander of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and director of the Air Force’s Iraq training and advisory mission; Staff Lt. Gen. Anwar Hamad Amen Ahmed, Iraqi air force commander; Brig. Gen. Kareem Ali Abud, commander of the Iraqi air force’s New Al-Muthana Air Base; and Col. Christopher Pehrson, commander of the U.S. Air Force’s 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Group.


“Today, I say we are proud to have had the honor to work with you side by side as brothers, not less,” Kareem said. “I have worked with about eight advisors, and we have here more than 60 groups at Al-Mathana, great in all fields: discipline, versatility, specialties and, more than that, humanity.


“We can’t forget the support you gave in the training of pilots, craft engineers, logistics, security forces and English classes,” he continued. “We respect your sacrifices -- leaving your families behind just to support Iraqi air forces. We are grateful for you and your families. We don’t like to say goodbye. See you again with better situations in Iraq.”
The deactivation of the U.S. squadron marked another claim to the Iraqi air force’s independence.

Good work!