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First Iraqi airmen graduate King Air maintenance training

  • Published
  • By 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Group
  • Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air Force
NEW AL MUTHANA AIR BASE, Iraq --  Class 001 from Iraqi air force Squadron 87 recently received their graduation certificates and pins after successfully completing primary maintenance training on the King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

Twenty students completed the 30-day initial maintenance course provided by Global Jet Services instructor Dave Benoff, as the first step in Squadron 87's goal to create 5- and 7-level King Air technicians.

The commander of the King Air Military Training Team, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Scott Seeberger, who is deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., addressed the smiling maintainers during their graduation ceremony.

"This is a day you will never forget," said the Warrenton, Va., native. "You have all worked tremendously hard over the past thirty days with your training. I am extremely proud of your accomplishment and confident of future maintenance success as you embark upon a new journey to keep your nation's premier ISR aircraft airworthy," he said.

This course is the same training and intensity given to other King Air maintainers around the world, and Commander Seeberger isn't the only one pleased with their efforts.

"The Iraqi technicians are very smart and worked long days," said Mr. Benoff. "The high student test scores and practical training proficiency showed that they are on par with any other maintainer around the world," he said.

According to Senior Master Sgt. James Miller, senior enlisted maintenance air advisor deployed from Barksdale AFB, Miss., this is only the beginning for these Iraqi maintainers.

"Next the King Air MiTT air advisors will build upon the skills that the students have acquired and add to it the necessary military training needed for them to become skilled maintenance airmen," said the Shreveport, La., native.

Commander Seeberger concluded that the Iraqis were both successful and lucky to get this level of training.

"Mr. Benoff's performance as the first instructor of this King Air maintenance course far exceeded all expectations. The Iraqi air force could not have been more fortunate to get such a knowledgeable and energetic instructor. The Iraqis came to class every day with a smile on their face and great motivation to learn - making this course a tremendous success."