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

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 090109-02
January 09, 2008
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DSN:  318-852-1332
IRAQNA:  0790-194-0270

USAF helps Iraqi Air Force expand operations in Al Kut
by AFCENT PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq - The Iraqi Air Force is actively expanding its operations in Al Kut at Forward Operating Base Delta. Last summer, a small advance team from the U.S. Air Force arrived at the FOB to prepare the areas under Iraqi control for future operations.

A team of air advisors from the Coalition Air Force Training Team, part of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, helped IqAF members build a relationship with their Army hosts by arranging meetings with FOB senior leadership and coordinating agreements for access to the base and basic communication issues.

IqAF Brig. Gen. Akeel, the Al Kut commanding general, is leading the effort to rebuild the infrastructure inside the Iraqi compound as operations and support personnel settle into living areas. 

Maj. Ryan Campbell was the CAFTT Detachment Commander at FOB Delta when the expansion started.   He says CAFTT was instrumental in acquiring temporary living quarters and access to water while the Iraqis set-up their supply system.

“We had to be hands-on in the beginning since they were unfamiliar with living and working while completely integrated with Coalition forces,” said Campbell. 

Campbell has since redeployed on another CAFTT mission.  The current commander of the detachment is Capt. Ciro de la Vega.

“Things are moving along at a steady pace.   The Iraqi leadership here is engaged and they want to turn this into a premier air force base,” said de la Vega.

At FOB Delta, IqAF members will be living and working right alongside their Coalition counterparts without being separated on their own section of the base.

As a renovation of the dormitories approaches, CAFTT is advising Iraqi leadership on the plans for setting-up a utilities system designed to eventually provide water, power and septic services to all Iraqi-controlled buildings on FOB Delta.  “Two generators were obtained for their use, but the Iraqis had to transport them to Al Kut.  They did this with their own C-130s,” added de la Vega.

Future mission plans include stationing Iraqi Air Force Mi-17 helicopters at the FOB, as well as an Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance ground station for downloading data from ISR aircraft.  The IqAF is in the process of procuring fuel trucks to support aircraft and generator requirements.

FOB Delta, once known as Abu Obaida Air Base during the Saddam regime, is located in Wasit province near the city of Al Kut.  FOB Delta is currently the deployed home of a U.S. Army fires brigade, as well as Coalition forces from Romania and El Salvador.
 

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT:  WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL .