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New 321st AEW commander sees promising future for Iraqi Air Forces

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarrod R. Chavana
  • U.S. Air Force Central Public Affairs
BAGHDAD --  Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command, presided over a change of command ceremony Jan. 7, where Maj. Gen. Robert Kane relinquished command of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing to Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson.

The mission of the 321st AEW is to train and advise the Iraqi Air Force in order to advance the foundational airpower capabilities of Iraqi Airmen.

Among his accomplishments as commander of the 321st AEW, General Kane graduated 28 fixed-wing and 11 rotary wing Iraqi air force pilots, while C-130s and Mi-17s provided critical battlefield mobility and medevac every day.

General Hostage congratulated General Kane saying, "It has been a very productive year ... It's been my honor and pleasure to watch you work and flourish as a commander."

Looking forward, General Hostage told General Hanson, "Scott ... your new journey begins today. You have my full support as this will truly be a high watermark in your career."

"The year ahead will no doubt not be without its challenges," said General Hanson, "yet I am confident the strength of our partnership and the professionalism of our Airmen will lead to many new achievements.

General Hanson said the future of the Iraqi air force is promising.

"I look forward to continuing to build this capable and professional Iraqi air force," he said. "The strong relationship between our two Air Forces is mutually beneficial and reflects the growing self-reliance of the Iraqi Security Forces and their advancing prominence in the Gulf Region."

As a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours in several aircraft, General Hanson understands what it takes to complete a mission.

"... Thank you for your service, your dedication and devotion to this critical mission," General Hanson told his Airmen. "You enable and empower the Iraqi Air Force through your daily world-class efforts and set the conditions for mission success."