Airmen help Iraqi pilot earn his wings

Published Aug. 22, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Andrea Thacker
Air Forces Central Public Affairs

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Dressed in a tan flight suit adorned with the Iraqi flag, an L.A. Dodgers hat and aviator sunglasses, one pilot is helping his country take a step closer to having an independent air force.

With help from American Airmen, Iraqi air force Maj. Thagel took his last training flight prior to being certified as a mission commander, or pilot, in the Iraqi air force July 20.

Major Thagel, an Iraqi C-208 Cessna Caravan pilot, is helping lay the foundation for an autonomous Iraqi air force, said Lt. Col. Terry Wheeler, 870th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron director of operations and one of Major Thagel's instructors.

The major's last training flight took him, Colonel Wheeler and an Iraqi mission sensor operator to northern Iraq to gather intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance photos of critical electrical infrastructure. During the flight, Major Thagel demonstrated his ability to coordinate airspace with air traffic controllers, practice emergency procedures and perform touch and go landings.

"Our whole focus here is to get them to the point where they can accomplish their missions independently," said Lt. Col. Jean Havens, 870th AEAS commander and Major Thagel's evaluator on his upgrade check ride. "By training them to become mission commanders, we can step back and let them take control."

To become a mission commander in Iraqi Squadron 3, the trainee must meet several requirements. First, he must be checked as a first pilot or copilot, requiring him to posses basic knowledge of flying aircraft, radio, checklist and emergency procedures. He must also accumulate 100 flying hours as a first pilot. After the trainee meets these requirements, the Iraqi squadron commander will recommend him for upgrade.

"He did very well on his check ride," Colonel Havens said. "We did a mission and observed 500 electrical towers from Kirkuk to Baghdad. I judged how well he did flying the aircraft while orchestrating the mission." Most of Iraqi Squadron 3's 25 pilots and copilots have a basic knowledge of flying, but they haven't flown in several years.

Major Thagel learned to fly when he attended the Iraqi Air Force College in 1993. He explained that during Saddam's regime, pilots flew old aircraft and had limited control over their missions.

"The American instructors are helping us fly new aircraft and showing us different operating and training procedures," said Major Thagel. "They are teaching us how to fly Cessna Caravans with ISR capabilities and how to use these new systems in order to defend our country."

"The Iraqis here in the Iraqi Squadron 3 can do everything on their own except evaluate their own training," Colonel Wheeler said. "The 870th AEAS helps to advise and continue the progress from the training squadron. Our responsibility is huge -- we are charged with helping the Iraqi air force become self-sustaining."

Major Thagel is one of six Iraqi pilots who have become Cessna Caravan mission commanders with training from American Airmen.

"I take great pride in what I do here," Colonel Havens said. "By training these pilots, we are helping a nation rebuild itself, and being a part of that is incredibly rewarding. I love this mission -- these guys are like my family."