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Iraqi AF flight safety graduate nine students

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert
  • 321 AEW Public Affairs, ITAM-AF
HAWK BASE, Iraq --  Nine senior ranking Iraqi air force officers graduated from a two-and-a-half week long basic safety officer's course held at New Al Muthana Air Base, May 23, 2010.

The class is the second basic safety officer's course since 2003, comprised of experienced pilots. The course was taught by Iraqi air force instructors and U.S. Air Force wing safety instructors from the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force.

"This public recognition praises their accomplishment in completing this course," said Lt. Col. Andy Sellberg, chief of wing safety and Iraqi AF safety advisor, "receiving this certificate is a really big deal to them because it is signed by General Anwar and General Hanson. It makes them qualified safety officers."

The students studied all the Iraqi air force regulations, which included how to conduct aircraft mishap investigations and the physiological issues regarding safety in flying. The officers also learned how to set up an interim safety board.

For the first time, weapons-system safety was integrated into the course and taught by Master Sgt. William Todd, the new weapons safety non-commissioned officer from 321st AEW.

"Their job is to be experts about the Iraqi air force in regards to flying," continued Lt. Col. Sellberg. "If people have [safety] questions about their base, they are the pilots people go to."

Upon graduation, staff Lt. Gen. Anwar, commander, Iraqi air force will give the qualified officers their marching orders and return to their bases to perform their safety officer duties