 Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Schmidt, Air Component Coordination Element airspace planner, observes while Iraq Civil Aviation Authority members discuss the new Iraqi airway structure, Nov. 18. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Johnny Saldivar, U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team. In addition to the ICAA, members of the U.S. Air Force Air Component Coordination Element (ACCE), Washington Consulting Group (WCG) and various other agencies played a crucial role in opening these airways. According to Ali Khlil Ibrahim, Iraqi director of air traffic services, the new routes have created the largest increase in air movement since the early 1990s, and will contribute to safe and quality flying for those wishing to travel throughout the space. "Today is a result of our hard work," Ibrahim said. "There were big challenges that we had before, but with the support of all our colleagues, friends and the U.S. Air Force, we were able to begin these new procedures. We have had lots of challenges in the past, but today will be big day in ICAA and in Iraq – we will improve our air space." Lt. Col. Tom Schmidt, ACCE airspace planner, contributed to this feat by developing the new airways and publishing the new structure to Jeppesen Enroute Charts, a system which "essentially publishes the new airway structure to the world," according to the colonel. Although he played a key role, he says his efforts alone could not have accomplished this task. "This project was a true collaborative effort," said the native of Philadelphia. "It's important to point out the initial concept and development effort was jump-started by Gary Brittain of the WCG." With the opening of these routes comes a strong sense of accomplishment and hope for Iraq. Currently, air travel fees bring in more than $3 million a month to the country. Plans are already in progress to further develop the Iraqi air space, and as a result, bring more revenue to the Iraqi economy. "The new structure not only provides a more efficient north-south traffic flow through the Baghdad Flight Information Region between Turkey and Kuwait, but provides Iraq with the opportunity of increased traffic growth in the future as east-west routes open after the implementation of reduced vertical separation minimum in the BFIR," said Schmidt, who is deployed from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Ibrahim is grateful for the work that has been invested for the betterment of his country. "I would like to thank everyone who supports the ICAA, especially our colleagues and the U.S. Air Force," he said. "They have done a great job in assisting the ICAA. We have had many successes together and I hope that in time we will get full responsibility of our air space." (By Senior Airman Alyssa Miles, U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team) |
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