Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 080604-01
June 4, 2008

Iraqi Air Force taking over the night skies (Taji)

TAJI, Iraq – The Iraqi Air Force recently received new night vision technology that will help them fight insurgents around the clock.

“I am very happy to have this technology. It helps us conduct night missions,” said Iraqi Air Force Maj. Mohammed, a pilot in squadron 15. “Before we couldn’t fly at night.”

Mohammed flew in the IqAF from 1986 until 2003, and rejoined in December of 2007. He, and his fellow pilots, will be flying Russian Mi-17s with their new night vision capabilities.
 
During the next few weeks, pilots will train with a group of OH-58C Kiowa helicopters. These small, user-friendly aircraft are easier and more economical to maintain and they have green interior lights which work better than the red lights of the Mi-17. They are also similar in operation to the Bell Jet Rangers that the IqAF received from the United Arab Emirates when they were established in 2003.

“These OH-58s are part of a supporting program given to the Iraqi Air Force by the government of the United States,” said Iraqi Air Force Brig. Gen. Satee Husain.

In addition to the United States providing helicopters, seven members of the Iowa Army National Guard volunteered for a tour in Iraq to help train the Iraqi pilots, as well as supporting and training Iraqi maintainers for the newly acquired aircraft.

“Having the new night vision goggles is a great step to enlarging the Air Force mission of monitoring, surveillance and support,” said Husain.
The night vision goggles were acquired through the Iraqi Security Forces Fund. The ISFF program manages purchases of defense articles such as vehicles, weapons, and ammunition.  The ISFF system provides a tried and trusted way of placing orders for equipment quickly and transparently.

A main objective of the ISFF acquisition program is to quickly improve the Iraqi Security Forces capabilities to help facilitate a smooth transition to total Iraqi control of security. 

Once the Mi-17 interior lights are retrofitted and training completed, the Iraqi pilots can begin flying missions in their own aircraft. 
   
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