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Iraqi Air Force College graduates next generation pilots; adds to aircraft inventory

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Edwards
  • 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TIKRIT AIR BASE, Iraq --  The Iraqi Air Force College held a graduation ceremony for its latest generation of pilots and received three new aircraft to add to its inventory, Sept. 21.

Attending the ceremony was General Babaker, Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Forces, Staff Lt. Gen. Anwar, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, and several other dignitaries who watched as 20 of the Iraqi Air Force's newest pilots took the stage and were awarded their wings. Eight of the graduates will fly fixed wing aircraft and 12 are slated for rotary wing aircraft.

This graduating class brings the total number of Iraqi Air Force pilots trained in this program to 102.

For one attendee, Tuesday's graduation ceremony held special significance.

"Two years ago, I spent four months at Taji teaching English to Iraqi Lieutenants," said Capt. Sabine Peters, assigned to ITAM-AF. "Now I am here today watching as some of my former students take the stage as graduates of the pilot training program."

Prior to entering the pilot training program, students study English to build their proficiency in the language before entering further levels of training.

"For me, that deployment was easily the most amazing experience of my life. I had kept in contact with many of the students after I left," said Capt. Peters. "When I returned to Iraq this past May I got to see most of them again. I've been able to meet up with 11 of the 13 students so far. It is wonderful seeing them progress through the various stages of training. I'm so proud of each and every one of them and their accomplishments."

The ceremony finished with the graduates and attendees traveling to the runway to watch as three new T-6A aircraft arrived from Jordan, where they had been delivered by the manufacturer, Hawker-Beechcraft. These planes were piloted to Iraq by members of the Iraqi Air Force, bringing their inventory to 11 aircraft in use for the pilot training program at the college.

According to Maj. Eric Weingaertner, an Air Advisor with ITAM-AF, the additional aircraft the Iraqi Air Force received will help the Iraqi Air Force further its ability to develop a self-sustaining capability in its own pilot training program.

"Our mission is to assist the Iraqi Air Force to continue to develop and expand their abilities to train future generations of pilots," he said. "This increase in their aircraft inventory helps add to that capability."

As part of the continuing training and advising mission, additional Iraqi Air Force pilots are currently being trained as instructor pilots. The first four are scheduled to complete their training next summer with the rest graduating in the fall.

"We are seeing amazing things happening with the development of the Iraqi Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, Commander of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and Iraqi Training and Advising Mission - Air Force. "Every day, our Iraqi partners continue to build capabilities and develop a self-sustaining Air Force. These new graduates are this country's future leaders and these new T-6's are the tools to help build upon their own successes."