Iraqi Air Force Conducts First Solo Operational Mission

Iraqi Air Force Conducts First Solo Operational Mission

By U.S. Army Sgt. Jared Zabaldo / Multinational Security Transition Command, Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Sept. 16, 2004 — The Iraqi air force conducted its first solo operational flight in southern Iraq, Sept. 15, with the flight of one of the country’s two SB7L-360 Seeker reconnaissance aircraft, flying over infrastructure assets in the area.

Prior to the mission, multinational force trainers accompanied all flights; the trainers assisted the Iraqi government train and mentor the country’s pilots and support personnel.

The flight, a two-hour reconnaissance mission in the early morning hours manned by two Iraqi pilots from Iraqi Air Force Squadron 70, was reportedly successful, ultimately providing intelligence on an expanding oil pipeline spill in the region.

“It may seem a simple step, but it is a huge deal for the people of Iraq,” Iraqi Air Force Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Kamal Al-Barzanjy, a former pilot in Iraq’s old air force.

“It is a step forward in a good direction - the right direction,” Al-Barzanjy said.

The air force, still in its early stages of development, currently consists of two aircraft with the first deliveries of another eight similar planes slated to begin arriving in November.

The force of 10 should receive another eight similarly fitted reconnaissance aircraft in the coming months, in addition to delivery of a gift from the United Arab Emirates of four helicopter and eight aircraft in December.

The Iraqi air force currently stands at roughly 160 pilots and support personnel.

Iraqi pilots conduct their first solo operational flight over southern Iraq in one of the Iraqi air force’s two Australian-made Seeker SB7L-360 reconnaissance aircraft, Sept. 15, 2004. The flight was the first operational mission in which multinational force trainers did not accompany the flight. Photo courtesy the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team

“These Seekers,” Al-Barzanjy said, describing the light reconnaissance Australian-made aircraft, “give us three types of reconnaissance: visual, video, and infrared night vision.

“So they will help to protect our oil, electricity, borders, and other different important places,” he said.

The single-engine Seeker aircraft include live observation feedback capabilities to ground forces and also carry digital video recording hardware and other reconnaissance technology. Their employ will be coordinated with Iraqi and multinational force efforts on the ground and will eventually include operations all over the country as the Iraqi government deems necessary.

Pilots from the flight reported that they were extremely proud to be patrolling the skies over Iraq.

“Eventually we will have aircraft from the south to the north of Iraq,” Al-Barzanjy said.

From GlobalSecurity.Org

The Iraqi Air Force's roles will include the policing of international borders and surveillance of national assets. Air capability will also allow Iraq to rapidly deploy its developing Army.

The Iraqi Army Air Corps will focus primarily on troop and logistics movements as well as air medivac for life-threatening and casualty-producing situations. As of January 2004 the CPA was training both helicopter and transport pilots, and planned to field the first operational squadrons in the summer of 2004.

In December 2003 the military-owned King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau formed a joint venture with Australia's Seabird Aviation to provide surveillance aircraft for Iraq, Jordan and Gulf Cooperation Council states. The two companies will cooperate in the assembly of the SB7L-360 Seeker aircraft at a plant in Jordan.

The CPA was also investigating the use of reconnaissance aircraft in order to effectively monitor the miles of Iraqi border, and infrastructure such as pipelines and electrical transmission facilities. In late June 2004 the US Army scrapped a planned acquisition of eight fixed-wing surveillance airplanes for Iraq because none of the bidders could meet requirements. US Central Command moved forward and purchased two Australian-built SB7L-360 Seeker reconnaissance aircraft. The new Iraqi Air Force purchased its first two Seeker aircraft in Jordan, June 10. Delivery was scheduled for mid-July in Basrah. The two Australian-manufactured SB7L-360 Seeker Reconnaissance Aircraft were the first purchases toward a tentative force of 16 surveillance aircraft.

The Iraqi air force commenced operations 18 August 2004, with the flights of two SB7L-360 Seeker reconnaissance aircraft in “limited operations missions” intended to protect infrastructure facilities and Iraq’s borders as part of the Iraqi government’s continuing mission to provide peace and security to the citizens of Iraq. The missions, limited in scope, are intended to serve as follow-on training for the force’s pilots while simultaneously supporting the ongoing security mission in the country. Coalition trainers will continue to accompany Iraqi pilots in a support role.

The SB7L-360 Seeker is made by Seabird Aviation Australia Pty Limited. The aircraft, single-engine, two-man, high-visibility aircraft fitted with high-resolution surveillance systems, were originally purchased in June in Amman, Jordan. They are the first of an eventual force of ten light aircraft — of similar capability — that will be contracted for by Sept. 21. The Australian aircraft are capable of providing live observation feedback to ground forces and additionally carry digital video recording hardware and other reconnaissance technology. Their employ will be coordinated with Iraqi and coalition force efforts on the ground and will eventually include operations all over the country as the government deems necessary.

The Coalition Military Assistance Training Team is a branch of the Office of Security Transition / Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq specifically tasked with assisting the Iraqi government train and equip its armed forces. This is a new concept of flying compared to what they experienced in their old air force. Continued operational training will include additional emphasis on map-reading and navigation orientation in the air. The old air force had previously placed more of an emphasis on getting airborne before receiving direction from the ground on operational details and destinations. Pilots have previously undergone instruction in Jordan and began workup training for operations in Iraq on Aug. 7. The aircraft are intended to represent an interim capability until future craft and forces are in place to augment the existing structure.

As of August 2004 the Iraqi air force consisted of some 162 servicemen and is slated to reach its initial goal of 502 trained personnel by December 2004.

The Jordanian government has offered a gift of 16 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft to augment the force. Jordanian agents for Queensland-based Seabird Aviation believe they will sell up to 24 light SB7l-360 Seeker surveillance planes to Iraq.

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