By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
U.S. Air Forces Central

An Iraqi Soldier watches as Iraqi Lt. Amar K. Gaad, nurse and flight medic instructor, marshals the litter into the C-130 Hercules during aero-medical evacuation transport training at New Al-Muthana Air Base, Iraq, June 2. The four-week course, once taught by U.S. instructors, is now instructed by Iraqis. Photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero.

The four-week training course is now taught by Iraqi flight medics with coalition oversight. Soon, the Iraqi instructors will have complete oversight of the course.

"This is a very important mission for me and for the Iraqi Air Force," said Iraqi Air Force Lt. Amar K. Gaad, nurse and flight medic instructor. "We are here to save lives so that our army counterparts can focus on their mission and on their service to our country."

After graduating June 4, the largest class ever, with 18 newly certified Iraqi flight medics, will be well equipped to directly support their assigned military units in the airborne medical evacuation of their unit's casualties in helicopters and C-130 Hercules aircraft.

"Upon graduation the new flight medics will be able to care for their patients while transporting them via air to medical facilities" said Col. (Dr.) William W. Dodson III, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq ITAM AF surgeon. "This will add to the strength of the Iraqi military."