Iraqi Air Force Acquires First Two Aircraft

[seruriermarshal]

Iraqi Air Force Acquires First Two Aircraft

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The new Iraqi Air Force purchased its first two aircraft in Jordan, June 10.

Delivery is scheduled for mid-July in Basrah.

The two Australian-manufactured SB7L-360 Seeker Reconnaissance Aircraft are the first purchases toward a tentative force of 16 surveillance aircraft. The aircraft are intended to assist in the protection of the nation's energy assets as well as aid in border and coastal security.

"This purchase represents a significant leap forward in the Iraqi's ability to surgically find and respond to sabotage on infrastructure," said Office of Security Transition, Air Reconnaissance Plans Officer, Marine Corps Capt. Jeremy DeMott.

"These aircraft represent the rebirth of an air force that will fly in cooperation with Coalition forces for the first time in almost two decades," he added.

Iraqi Air Force pilots will receive basic training on the aircraft, with special attention directed to sensors and reporting skills. During operations, pilots will communicate suspicious activity to Iraqi and Coalition forces on the ground.

Seeker aircraft are fitted with high-resolution surveillance systems, digital video recording hardware and other reconnaissance technology.

The Iraqi Air Force currently stands at nearly 150 personnel with most still in training. Plans are to grow the force to 500 by December 2004.

The Jordanian government has offered a gift of 16 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft to augment the force.


From (http://www.cjtf7.com/media-information/june2004/040615f.htm)

[kris777]

Do we know what helos Jordan is donating?

[ronin2172]

Do we know what helos Jordan is donating?
probably bell 212's (twin engined hueys)

[n4292936]

My old man used to work for Bell Helicopter in Iran at about the same time the US was supplying the Shah with F-14s. Lets hope history doesnt repeat itself in Iraq.

[Uncle Chô]

Iraqi Air Force Acquires First Two Australian-manufactured SB7L-360 Seeker Reconnaissance Aircraft are the first purchases toward a tentative force of 16 surveillance aircraft. The aircraft are intended to assist in the protection of the nation's energy assets as well as aid in border and coastal security.
http://www.utility-aircraft.com/images/seeker-02.JPG

http://www.utility-aircraft.com/images/seeker-cover-02.JPG
;) Do not laugh at the airplane first. Let's see what kind of surveillance sensors they will put aboard...

More info of this nice little airplane at http://www.seabirdaviationjordan.com/

PS : Funny because I use to fly it very often ...with Flight Simulator!

[Pandy]

Those planes are cheap but does the job, I bet you moneythese surveillance aircraft will help a **** load. Plus, you need to have a base for your airforce before you get the big toys... :)

[Commander Cool]

What happened to Saddam's airforce? I know most of them were destroyed, some were even buried for some reason, but there's gotta be at least a FEW old Migs or Mirages which are still flyable.

[He219]

Good question. The buried MiG's prolly had too much stress on the wings. The cost to refurbish them is also less than practical.

However, why not some of the choppers?

http://img33.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/IraqiBo-105C.jpg

[Pooga]

Sand caked in the intakes is probably a butt to clean out.

[Uncle Chô]

Good question. The buried MiG's prolly had too much stress on the wings. The cost to refurbish them is also less than practical.

However, why not some of the choppers?

http://img33.photobucket.com/albums/v101/He219/IraqiBo-105C.jpg
Using Western (US) aircrafts is much more cost effective. Not only because there is plenty of second hand stuff available in the USA or elsewhere but also because you could award the contracts to friendly nations like Jordan. Migs and Sukkhois are not usable anymore and jets are not the Nr 1 priority for the Iraqi Air Force. I don't think the Coallition is eagerly willing to see armed jet warplanes buzzing the "New" Iraq skies with local pilots behind the stick ;)

The rest of the fleet has been looted and the metal sold for scrap locally and abroad. I read a few days ago a business man made a bid for 50 Migs wrecks to be use artificial reefs in New Zealand!

BTW, the above MBB Bö-105 were delivered from Spain (they were locally produced under licence from MBB) as civil "crop duster" machines (meaning no wiring for any military avionics and armament)...

[He219]

Are you sure, Uncle Chô?

Those Bö-105C's seem to be from the old Iraqi Air Force. Look at their poor disposition, camo scheme and markings. They don't look like they were just aquired ..

These are chem-dusters recently in the news:

http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/50859114.jpg?x=x&a=50859114&b=afp&t=1http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/50859123.jpg?x=x&a=50859123&b=afp&t=1http://cache.*****images.com/thumb/50859082.jpg?x=x&a=50859082&b=afp&t=1
Large (http://cache.*****images.com/comp/50859114.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=B84D4F1548A4F56E9AE6596F6B10A1F3A9C30E9B9B114CE8)

BAQUBA, IRAQ: An Iraqi man walks towards a Russian-made MI-2 Iraqi helicopter before taking off to begin crop-dusting the date palm fields in the city of Baquba, northeast of Baghdad 20 May 2004. Iraqi pilots are flying again for the first time since the war started over a year ago, to spray date palm fields in a joint operation with coalition forces in eastern Iraq.

[Uncle Chô]

Are you sure, Uncle Chô? Those Bö-105C's seem to be from the old Iraqi Air Force. Look at their poor disposition, camo scheme and markings. They don't look like they were just aquired ..

Yes I am but you misunderstood my words and I forgot to mention the dates ;) They are old indeed and where acquired in the late 80s or early 90s. That was just another example of how Saddam was able to acquire military hardware under false pretext...

[seruriermarshal]

Northern Iraq Oil Now in the Hands of Iraqis

Story by Task Force Olympia

MOSUL, IRAQ (June 15, 2004) ?For the five governorates of northern Iraq, the responsibility for distributing fuels such as propane, benzene and diesel has transferred to a group of Iraqi fuel representatives.

Upon their arrival in Iraq, Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division worked with a group of Iraqi fuel representatives to distribute the almost 15 million liters of fuel that comes from Turkey each day. The representatives meet each day to decide how much fuel will be distributed and where it will go based on the needs of the people.

At a linkup point north of Mosul, approximately 500-700 trucks filled with fuel come each day to be directed to their final destination in Iraq. This site is the largest fuel distribution site in the country right now.

After today, these daily meetings and the distribution itself will be handled by Iraqis. Coalition forces will still play a part in advising and funding projects to improve the fuel conditions in northern Iraq, but they will not maintain a daily presence.

Fuel is an important part of Iraq economy. Approximately $6 million dollars worth of fuel is distributed in northern Iraq each day. Money from fuel revenues goes to fund the government ministries and back into the local economy.

This transfer of authority is one of many that will happen as June 30 approaches and the people of Iraq prepare to take full control of the safety, security and governance of their country.



From (http://www.centcom.mil/CentcomNews/Stories/06_04/8.htm)


Civil Affairs Soldiers Donate Security Equipment to Mosul University

Story by Spc. Blair Larson

MOSUL, Iraq-- Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion higher education team are working to improve security around Mosul schools. The team handed out $10,000 worth of security equipment, such as body armor, megaphones, flashlights, reflective vests and metal detectors to the security guards from Mosul University on June 9.

The 416th, an Army reserve unit based in Norristown, Penn., arrived in northern Iraq in February and is working with the Iraqi people to improve living conditions in the local area.

Maj. Wayne Bowen, the higher education team chief, recommended the project for funding through the Commander Emergency Response Program, in response to requests he got from the security guards.

o far the campus has been less violent than other universities in the country,?said Bowen. ut terrorists have tried to get onto the campus and there have been a few drive-by shootings outside the university.?

To protect the guards, Bowen ordered body armor vests for the guards who work at the gates of the university. The guards will also be able to search people who come through the gates more effectively with the new metal detectors. The megaphones will be used to control riots and demonstrations on campus. During the night shifts, the flashlights and reflective vests will allow the guards to operate more safely.

There are approximately 300 guards at the university for almost 30,000 students. The university has three campuses and other satellite facilities throughout the Mosul area.

After giving the equipment to the guards, the civil affairs Soldiers trained them on how to effectively and safely use it.

his equipment will give the guards a greater sense of confidence in what they do and more tools to perform their job to the best of their ability,?said Bowen. Coalition forces are continually working with the Iraqi people to promote security and stability in Iraq. As June 30, the deadline for the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people, nears, increased security will be stressed throughout the region.


From (http://www.centcom.mil/CentcomNews/Stories/06_04/7.htm)

[Commander Cool]

But not all of Saddam's AF was Mig-21's. Iraq also operated the Mirage F1, a fairly modern French plane, and a small number of Mig-29's, which were pretty new (Iraq bought them in 1989 I think). The airforce had something like 400 aircraft in the late 80's, it's hard to believe there aren't at least a few which are still flyable and could form the basis of a new Iraqi AF. Let's face it, in order for the US to leave, Iraq must first have the ability to defend itself, both against terrorist threats, and against its neighbors.

[seruriermarshal]

I think now Iraqi new airforce needn't more Aircraft , they just need a few UH-1 .

[ronin2172]

But not all of Saddam's AF was Mig-21's. Iraq also operated the Mirage F1, a fairly modern French plane, and a small number of Mig-29's, which were pretty new (Iraq bought them in 1989 I think). The airforce had something like 400 aircraft in the late 80's, it's hard to believe there aren't at least a few which are still flyable and could form the basis of a new Iraqi AF. Let's face it, in order for the US to leave, Iraq must first have the ability to defend itself, both against terrorist threats, and against its neighbors.
not really a good chunk was destroyed in GW1....a lot of those planes that were not destroyed flew to Iran (particularly the Su 24 fencers, and some mig 29s)....who quickly 'acquired' them for themselves.
Now this time around the Iraqis tried to be cute and they buried some of their planes (if i remember their wings snapped under the weight of the sand.) Those that were not buried were promptly destroyed during OIF. so in all probability the iraqi air force has no airworthy combat aircraft left over from the previous regieme. And if any Mirage F1s or Mig 29s r left they are obsolete...every other nation in the region has F15s (Saudi), 16s (Turkey), 14s (Iran), Su 27s (Syria, possibably Iran), the latest model Mig 29s (Syria, Iran)...making these planes next to useless