Iraqi Air Force Set to Receive Additional Aircraft

[saigon68]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2004/n10132004_2004101311.html


Iraqi Air Force Set to Receive Additional Aircraft
American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 13, 2004 – The Iraqi air force's 70th Squadron will take possession of the first two SAMA CH2000 light air surveillance aircraft Oct. 29, in Basrah, as the first delivery of an addition to the force that will number eight to 16 aircraft.

In standing up the balance of the aircraft, the Iraqi air force will receive two CH2000 airplanes per month – deliveries kicking off in December – with final deliveries completing the $5.8 million acquisition at the end of March.


The first stage began a month ago in Basrah, with solo Iraqi air force operations commencing with two previously acquired Australian-made SB7L-360 Seeker reconnaissance aircraft. The additions to the Seeker force will enhance the surveillance capacity to cover the entire country as Iraqi air force missions continue to concentrate on infrastructure and border security.

"We will cover all lands in Iraq from two flight circles based in Basrah and Kirkuk and reaching down to Baghdad," Barzanjy said. "With these airplanes we can cover pipelines, electrical facilities and our borders."

On Edit: ------ Good thing the Amerikan Taxpayer has taken car of the seniors who need prescriptions, the children who need food at school and the disabled legless GI's in the VA hospitals </sarcasm></RANT>

[Tempest]

1. These will come in useful to the new Islamic government in Iraq

Who will then most likely give them to Iran.

Anyone who believes democracy will take hold in Iraq is fooling themselves.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Just who are they going to train their guns on?? The Kurds? The Shia

others struggling to maintain economic control over their own country? Ya know... these people have a lot of nerve repeating history over and over and over again all for a buck.

[daleo]

3. This way Allawi will have his own airplane to flee in

Once things spin totally out of control.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. How many pounds of explosives can you put on one of those

to crash into the Green Zone?

[Zorra]

5. Nothing but corporate pork, then more corporate pork.

Weapons are truly wonderful wastes of money. They either blow up or get shot up and corporations get to make new ones, use lots of oil, and require expensive parts and maintenance.

Perhaps in a few years Iraq will sell the planes for food, or we can attack Allawi in another war for corporate profit.

[FightingIrish]

6. Why don't we give them F102s

and an AWOL air national guard pilot to train them?

[amber dog democrat]

7. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Well I wish them good luck with that,

Here's an image.