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Deactivation ceremony held for Iraqi-based 321st AEAS

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
NEW AL MATHANA AIR BASE, Iraq --  More than 100 American and Iraqi Airmen attended the 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron's deactivation ceremony here Sept. 29, 2009.
 
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Robert Kane, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander, looked on while Col. Christopher Pehrson, 321st AEA Group commander, and Maj. Scott Volk, outgoing 321st AEAS commander, participated in the furling of the squadron's guidon, symbolizing the end of the squadron's mission.
 
"For the Airmen of the 321st, you should be proud of your legacy and your accomplishments as air advisors in Iraq," said Colonel Pehrson. "Thank you and your families for the hard work and sacrifice you made for the ITAM-Air Force mission in Iraq. For the airmen of Iraqi air force Squadron 23, you are an inspiration to the entire Iraqi air force and I congratulate you on your independence as a fully operational C 130 squadron. I wish you continued success, clear skies, and many happy landings." 

With the deactivation of the squadron comes another claim to the Iraqi air force's independence. 

"Today I say we are proud to have had the honor to work with you side-by-side as brothers, not less," said Iraqi General Kareem, NAMAB commander. "I have worked with about eight advisors, and we have here more than 60 groups at Al Mathana, great in all fields: discipline, versatility, specialties and more than that, humanity. We can't forget the support you gave in the training of pilots, craft engineers, logistics, security forces and English classes. We respect your sacrifices -- leaving your families behind just to support Iraqi air forces. We are grateful for you and your families. 

"We don't like to say goodbye -- see you again with better situations in Iraq," he continued. 

Squadron 23 is the largest C-130 squadron in the Iraqi air force and its mission includes delivering troops, cargo, distinguished visitor support and medical evacuation. The squadron began after the U.S. gave three C-130E aircraft to the Iraqis through the Excess Defense Articles program. This paved the way for the first aircrew members to receive flight training at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. After being assigned to Ali Air Base since 2005, the squadron moved to NAMAB on March 7, 2006. 

The 321st AEAS stood up at NAMAB as the 370th AEAS on April 22, 2006, with a mission to effectively help facilitate the Iraqi air force's reconstruction and help the Iraqis to become self-sufficient in the maintenance, flying and operation of the C-130. The squadron was re-designated the 321st on Nov. 1, 2008.