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Iraqi air force to receive new AOC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
HAWK BASE, Iraq --  More than 75 American and Iraqi Airmen attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Iraqi air force's Air Operations Center here Sept. 30, 2009. 

Maj. Gen. Robert Kane, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Iraqi Staff Lt. Gen. Anwar Hamad Amen Ahmed, Iraqi air force commander, were both in attendance for the momentous occasion. 

The current IAOC is located on Camp Victory, Iraq, and is the work place of Iraqi airmen and their American advisors in several different career fields, including weather, intelligence and logistics. 

When the $9 million project is complete in eight months, it will consist of office space, a conference room and living quarters for the Iraqi airmen. 

"In today's world of instant information and time sensitive operations, an effective air operations center is essential for taking full advantage of airpower's capabilities," said General Kane. "This new Iraqi air operations center at Hawk Base - the site of the new Iraqi air force headquarters - will play a central role in the growth and future success of the Iraqi air force and will be a key to maintaining a secure, stable and sovereign Iraq." 

General Kane also said the AOC groundbreaking represents a crucial step forward in the development of the Iraqi air force. 

"We are extremely proud of the friendship we have with our Iraqi air force brothers and the partnership we have in this important project," he said. "I look forward to seeing this AOC, the building and its people become the nerve-center of the Iraqi air force." 

As part of the official groundbreaking, a gold-plated time capsule was placed in the ground with the words "Iraqi air force operations center with support of the United States Air Force, September 2009" engraved on its side. 

General Anwar said the day's ceremony represents a dream come true for the Iraqi air force and they appreciate the support from the U.S. Government and Air Force. 

"We wouldn't have gotten to this point if it weren't for you," he said. "The Iraqi air force will never forget you - what has happened will always stay in our memories."