Free Republic

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during July 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 July 2012. The July 2012 update was separately updated to reflect the GoI denial of Bulgarian/Polish arms deals. The “ISF Total Force Mobilization Update July 2012” was published reflecting the apparent changes in the command structure and planned force composition. These articles will not be addressed here. Highlights in this update include: - Claims of KRG arms deals by unknown officials; Rumors of UH-1s or AH-64s for the KRG not supported...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during March 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 March 2012. Highlights in this update include: - 10 battalions shifted to Baghdad for AL Summit; Rumors of BTR4 cancellation continue. - Aviation contracts to announce in April, L159s still in contention. - OSVs identified, 9 PBs delivered with 12th to deliver in May. - Rumors of increased control of Basrah security by Baghdad.

Iraq is acquiring an array of missiles and other sophisticated systems for the 36 Lockheed Martin F-16s it's buying to build an air force but Washington is reluctant to provide Baghdad with the most advanced U.S. weapons. U.S. officials say they are worried that a strong Iraqi air force with offensive weapons systems would alarm Iraq's neighbors. Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in 1980 and Kuwait a decade later. Even nine years after Saddam was toppled in the 2003 U.S. invasion, Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Muslim allies in the Persian Gulf remain deeply suspicious of Shiite-majority Iraq and its Shiite...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during September 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 September 2011. Highlights in this update include: * Final M1A1 Tanks arrive; Southern Iraq Iranian-border regions reinforced; Generals transferred. * IqAF not ready; Pilot training; Down-payment on 18 F16s.

“The Iraqi Army, which recently took control of their military's rotary-wing assets from the Iraqi Air Force, uses the Huey primarily as a scout and reconnaissance aircraft.” With this sentence, the announcement of the formation of the Iraqi Army Air Corps was made by Specialist Roland Hale, a journalist for the 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade. While there are limited details concerning this reorganization, the known structure of the Iraqi Air Force makes sorting out which squadrons are now Army Air Corps simple. The subordination of the air bases, training establishment, and the future air defense brigade are less...

The Iraqi government has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to train 10 Iraqi pilots. The agreement follows a request submitted by Iraq last March to purchase 18 F-16 Block 52s, for which congressional approval is pending. The pilot training agreement provides for the training of an initial cadre of ten selectively-chosen Iraqi Air Force pilots who are projected to begin training this fall in the United States. Upon graduation, these pilots will have completed all flight training necessary to move immediately into F-16 flying training. The program will include all necessary components of T-6A Texan II and T-38...

U.S. troops are conducting training exercises with Iraqi divisions, emphasizing teaching the Iraqis to work with air power. The U.S. is using F-16s, which the Iraqis are negotiating to buy. In the meantime, the U.S. Air Force will apparently stand by (possibly in Kuwait, but perhaps in Iraqi air bases) to provide air defense and ground support capabilities. All this is because, while U.S. combat troops are scheduled to be out of Iraq by 2011, the Iraqis point out that they have an army and navy, they still don't have much of an air force. Currently, the Iraqi Air Force...

Iraq was said to have relayed a formal request for the F-16 multi-role fighter from the United States. Industry sources said the Iraqi Defense Ministry has submitted a request for 24 F-16s from Washington. They said the request was relayed in March 2010 and called for delivery of the aircraft over the next two years. "Iraq has finally and formally requested 24 F-16s from the United States," D.J. Elliot, author of the blog "Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle," said. "Delivery could start as early as next year, but likely in 2012/13 time frame." Industry sources confirmed the Iraqi request....

Rumors that Iraq has made its official request. (April 6/10) Iraq’s military has made significant strides in recent months, and the country is beginning to order more advanced military equipment to match. A slew of 2008 requests would spend over $10 billion to buy advanced armored vehicles, strengthen its national military supply chain, build new bases and infrastructure for its army, and even buy advanced scout helicopters. Anxious to complete its transformation and stand fully on its own, Iraq is pushing to begin flying its own fighters within the next couple of years – and is looking to buy American...

Four T6-A training aircraft recently arrived in Tikrit for Iraqi Air Force student pilots to use to as a stepping-stone platform toward advanced multi-role fighters the IqAF will use in the future to protect its airspace. The IqAF will have a full complement of (15) T6-As by the end of 2010, purchased by the Government of Iraq and the United States. Photo by Senior Airman AJ Hyatt, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq. TIKRIT — The Iraqi Air Force celebrated the arrival of four training aircraft, the groundbreaking of a new air traffic control tower and the receipt of facilities...

In counter-insurgency fights, slower aircraft are often better than front-line jet fighters. In April 2007, Flight International reported that the USAF’s Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) had issued a solicitation on behalf of the Iraqi Air Force [IqAF] to buy at least 8 counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft, with a dual role as intermediate to advanced single-engine turboprop trainers. The solicitation required a single-engine turboprop powered that is in “wide use,” powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 family engine, with an advanced suite of sensors and weapons including electro-optical sensors and guided weapons capability. Indeed, the solicitation went one step further,...

Col. Sami Saeed (right), commander of the Iraqi Air Force’s 70th Squadron, conducts preflight checks on a CH2000 surveillance plane during training on Contingency Operating Base Basrah, Nov. 19. Photo by Spc. Samuel Soza, 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. COB BASRAH — Reaching a critical training milestone, the Iraqi Air Force’s (IqAF) 70th Squadron is now conducting its own training from beginning to end, ushering in an era of independence it has worked toward so diligently. The goal has always been to create a sustainable training squadron that can effectively transition new recruits into operational missions and put the protection...

KIRKUK — Lt. Col. Chris Spigelmire defines success as, "The better we do our jobs, the fewer people they'll send to replace us until we don't have to be here at all." "The trick is," he added, "the Iraqi Air Force has to be able to do what we're doing without us around." Spigelmire, deployed from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, commands the 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron. He and his two dozen Airmen have two missions: – Help Iraqis train their new pilot corps – Prepare qualified Iraqi pilots to assume mission operations "We're also training the trainers so...

As of October 26, the Iraqi Air Force took control of the American built air traffic control network that covers northern Iraq and adjacent countries. At the moment, Americans run most air traffic control in Iraq, mainly because it takes time to train Iraqi controllers. In addition, the U.S. military radars, because they often used classified equipment and procedures, that currently provide much of the coverage, have to be replaced by civilian equipment owned by the Iraqi government. Thus for the next few years, Iraqis won't control much of their own air space. But as Iraqi owned equipment, and Iraqi...

NAJAF — With the recent help of many organizations back in the United States, the Iraqi Provincial Government received three pallets of humanitarian relief supplies June 21 for distribution to the local populace here. “Helping people who are less fortunate is always a good thing whether in your home town or across the world,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Fred Harmon, deputy team leader for provincial reconstruction and project coordinator at Najaf. “Overall, these shipments send a message that bridges the cultural divide. In the more immediate impact, they simply help those who need it.” “It is important because it...

The Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) recently opened a new dining facility (DFAC) with greatly expanded food service capabilities, thanks in great part to the Coalition Air Force Training Team (CAFTT) advisors assigned to the 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here. Photo by Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski, 506th Air Expeditionary Group. BAGHDAD — With the opening of a new Iraqi dining facility, featuring menu selections like kebabs, samoon-a flat bread and baklava, the ability to prepare the food safely is paramount. The Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) recently opened a new dining facility (DFAC) with greatly expanded food service capabilities, thanks in...

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2009 – In developments this month, the Iraqi air force graduated its first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircrew members and dedicated three new buildings that will increase its capabilities. The first class of Iraqi Air Force Squadron 87 King Air ISR aircrew members completed their year-long training, which culminated with a graduation ceremony at New Al Muthana Air Base May 17. The Iraqi King Air program, headed up by U.S. Air Force and Navy aircrew instructors, has trained four Iraqi pilots, seven co-pilots and five mission sensor operators. “We are about at the halfway point where we...

Iraqi Air Force Looks To Rebuild With F-16s By Michael Bruno The Iraqi Air Force has a three-phase, 11-year improvement plan, including plans to buy T-6 trainers and eventually a few dozen multirole Lockheed Martin F-16s by the middle of next decade, while the navy there is looking for offshore patrol boats, military officials said near Washington this morning. But the war-torn Middle East country is increasingly facing a budget squeeze of its own, they also said. “Right now, budget is the No. 1 driver impacting our way forward,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commanding general of the...

BAGHDAD — Flying high above Baghdad, the Iraqi Air Force demonstrated its capability to view polling stations and other potential critical-incident locations in preparation for the upcoming Provincial Elections. This “eye in the sky” is a sensor system, similar to that of a U.S. Predator UAV, down-linked for display into the Iraqi Prime Minister’s National Operations Center. The demonstration of this capability was conducted for the Iraqi National Security Advisor, Dr. Mowaffak al-Rubaie, other senior Government of Iraqi officials, and Coalition military advisors, Jan. 28. The demonstration was designed to showcase the functional capability of the Iraqi Air Force’s King...

BAGHDAD, Jan. 30, 2009 – The Iraqi air force demonstrated its capability to view polling stations and other potential critical-incident locations from above Jan. 28 in preparation for tomorrow’s provincial elections. This “eye in the sky” is a sensor system similar to that of a U.S. Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, downlinked for display into the Iraqi prime minister’s national operations center. Iraqi air force officials conducted the demonstration for the Iraqi National Security Advisor Mowaffak al-Rubaie, other senior government officials and coalition military advisors to showcase the King Air 350 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft’s ability to provide real-time surveillance...