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Iraqi Air Force achieves milestone with Hellfire missile shot

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • U.S. AFCENT Combat Camera Team
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The Iraqi military reached a major milestone in defending their country when, for the first time since the re-formation its air force, an Iraqi aircrew fired a missile from an aircraft Oct. 27.

Iraqi pilots from Squadron 3 successfully launched an AGM-114 Hellfire missile and hit a specific ground target from their AC-208 Caravan.

The ability for Iraqi aircrews to launch missiles dramatically improves their ability to operationally support Iraqi security forces on the ground and "achieves a key foundational capability for a credible and enduring Iraqi Air Force," according to Maj. Gen. Rob Kane, director of Iraq Training Air Mission-Air Force.

"I'm extremely proud of both the Iraqi air force and our advisor team," General Kane said. "Together we have worked hard to make this important day a reality -- from the enlisted crews who loaded the missiles, to the aircrew who employed the system, to the air operations directors who integrated the entire sequence of clearance and authorization.

"This live fire exercise was a perfect example of what a strong professional partnership between air forces looks like," the general added.

Iraqi Minister of Defense Abdul Qader Mohammad Jassim Al-Mafrji said the event was significant because it will allow aircrews to deter "the threat from terrorist organizations."

"This is a big event for the Iraqi people and makes our Air Force much more powerful," Minister Abdul Qader said.

The capability is several years in the making and is a dramatic step in establishing the Iraqi military as a fully-functional organization, according to Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, the commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq.

"With the Iraqi air force one step closer to the ability to protect their nation on their own, it means the American military is one step closer to turning over total defense of Iraq directly to Iraqis," General Barbero said.