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

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 090831-01
Aug. 31, 2009
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DSN:  318-852-1332
IRAQNA:  0790-194-0270

Iraqis Accept New Air Force Headquarters Complex

BAGHDAD – U.S. Army Col. Thomas Hardy, Victory Base garrison commander, turned over the keys to the new Iraqi Air Force Headquarters Complex to members of the Iraqi Air Force staff Aug. 23. 

Iraqi Staff Brig General Wamidh accepted the keys and toured the facility shortly afterward. More than 270 Iraqi air force personnel will work in the new headquarters complex, which is being named “Hawk Base.”

The Iraqi Air Force will relocate their headquarters from their current location in the International Zone to the new "Hawk Base" over the next several weeks. Hawk Base is conveniently located near the New Al Muthana Air Base at the Baghdad International Airport and will provide the Iraqi Air Force with room to grow as the service continues to expand.

To date, Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force have prepared 2,118 Iraqi Air Force personnel to perform various air-related missions. Iraqi airmen attend the Basic Officer Candidate Course that includes Basic Military Training, the Air Force Officer Course , and English Language Training at the Iraqi Military Academy at Ar Rutstamyah, as well as Warrant Officer BMT, Basic Technical Training, Professional Development Courses, and ELT at Taji Air Base.

The ITAM-Air Force Commander, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Kane, said this marks a significant milestone for the Iraqi air force and shows that both parties are enthusiastically following the terms of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement that took effect Jan. 1.

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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 HONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194- 0270.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT:  WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL .