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All-Iraqi effort during historic election

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mindy Bloem
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --  As masses of Iraqis flock to the polls this week to ink their fingers for their preferred candidate, another historical moment will be taking place in the skies.

This week marks the first time the Iraqi air force will fly an all-Iraqi effort in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of an Iraqi election.

"In previous years, the United States has provided security, aerial surveillance and reconnaissance for the elections, but today marks a historic event because the Iraqi forces, with all of their assets, will provide their own ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) coverage for the Iraqi national elections, something they've been working toward for the past four years," said Lt. Col. Rodney Liberato, 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Group/Det 3 Chief at Kirkuk Regional Air Base.

Kirkuk's Iraqi air force Squadron 3 launched all six of its aircraft on the morning of March 5, 2010 during a surge flight operation in support of the upcoming national Iraqi elections on March 7.

Since this squadron is tasked with supporting ISR operations over the major cities of Iraq during the elections, its members have to be vigilant in protecting the Iraqi people.

To be able to do their job properly, the squadron has technology to assist them in preventing attacks by terrorists.

The crews of Squadron 3 consist of a pilot, co-pilot and mission system operator. They have three RC-208 aircraft and three AC-208 aircraft, each equipped with an MX-15 electro-optical infrared camera system.

There are Iraqi operation centers throughout the country with the capability to download full motion videos, captured from the aircraft's camera equipment, essentially giving the security forces on the ground an eye in the sky, said Colonel Liberato.

The effort is also notable because it is not just one unit or team working to complete a mission, but involves Iraqi forces across Iraq, teaming up to provide their people the necessary protection they will need for a peaceful election.

"It's a great opportunity for them to work with the (Iraqi) army and police on their own which, as the United States begins to withdraw, they will need to do in order to accomplish the mission together," Colonel Liberato said. "These surge operations will be a great proof of that concept."

Staff Col. Albayati, Iraqi air force Squadron 3 commander, believes this is an important step toward Iraqi independence.

"The role of the Iraqi air force is to provide the Iraqi security ground forces, the information needed for them to do their duties better," he said. "This means our planes will be overhead the cities, looking for every single movement. If anything happens, we will be in contact with the ground forces, giving them a direct link that will provide better reaction time. Everything we do is to keep our people safe who are voting in this great and historical election in our country."

U.S. forces have been assisting Iraqi forces achieve self-sufficiency since 2005, and for those personally involved in the nation building process, it has been a rewarding experience.

"I've been here seven months, and I know some of the lieutenants in Squadron 3, flying and performing ISR missions on their own who used to be in the pilot training squadron," Colonel Liberato said. "It gives you a bit of personal satisfaction to know you had something to do with their pilot skills and getting them where they need to be. And they're ready; they're ready to execute the mission on their own."

Iraqi Colonel Albayati said this mission allows for changes in Iraq.

"Today, the Iraqi people are free to choose who will be best for them," he said referring to the upcoming election. "In the past, everyone was afraid to show his finger, but I think now people will be proud to show their finger, and I think people who don't vote will think they made a big mistake."

The Iraqi colonel believes it's time for the Iraqi forces to protect their own.

"I cannot tell you how proud I am of what we are doing in this squadron," he said. "I cannot tell you the limits of my happiness when I saw my guys working this morning with big smiles. They want to do something for their people. I am proud of each of them."

"I hope for peace for these great people of Iraq, and I want them to know that we are soldiers and our first job is to serve them," the colonel concluded.