Combat Coalition Aviation Forces Assist Iraqi Support Forces
Using an old stalwart the Coalition has worked to keep operations in Iraqi supported. The need for materials and supplies on the front lines in Iraq is critical, and there is over 17,000 square miles that need coverage. The CH-47 Chinook helicopter has been used successfully to transport mail, supplies, repair parts, even vehicles and equipment are hauled using the Chinook to remote areas where roads are not even found.
Aircraft from the coalition have delivered more than 12 million pounds of Cargo, and more than 80 thousand passengers to different locations over the MNF mission in Iraq. Chinooks are often assigned to this type of duty because they have heavy lift capability, and are able to be utilized for a variety of transportation tasks. Chinooks have delivers supplies for humanitarian missions throughout Iraq, and been used successfully in transporting soldiers to hotspots throughout the region. As the area in and around Baghdad continues to settle down and become more secure, the Chinooks continue to be used successfully in supplying both troops and Iraqi citizens with food, supplies and materials.
More than 2,000 trucks have been able to stay off the roadways in the last two years because of the transportation ability of the Chinook helicopters. Each of the trucks that have been replaced are one less truck that is exposed to insurgency or terrorist harm.
