General Bash Praises Iraqi Aerial Operations
The Air Force in Iraq has grown leaps and bounds in the last two years, and the surge by the coalition has aided the Iraqi military in getting to a point of independence and success. The Iraqi Air force has grown slowly and has reached a number of different milestones, and in its overall success it owes much of its success to the equipment and training that it has received from the coalition.
“The Iraqi Air Force has grown in aircraft, personnel and ability and has experienced success in reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence,†said Coalition US Air Force Brigadier General Brooks L. Bash.
The Iraqi Air Force and security services have grown in their ability to mount independent security operations, and they are able to act on information and confidential tips that are provided by informants. This ability has come slowly, but has gotten a lot more successful over the last 18 months.
The Air Force of Iraq has 11 different surveillance aircraft with an additional 5 coming into service later this year. They also have a number of different helicopters that are working to transport troops swiftly in mounting aerial Iraqi Operations.
The Iraqi Air Force has 15 Mi-17 helicopters, and about 16 UH-2 helicopters and about 3 different C-130 aircraft. These aircrafts are used successfully to mount a number of different aerial operations as part of the continued aerial improvement.
