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Airmen help Iraqi pilot earn his wings

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Thacker
  • AFCENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS - Combined Air and Space Operations Center
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- --  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 U.S. 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. 

"The mission with my American instructors was the last step before I can become pilot in command," said Major Thagel, a 35-year-old Iraqi C-208 or Cessna Caravan pilot. 

Major Thagel is helping lay the foundation for an autonomous Iraqi air force, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Terry Wheeler, 870th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron director of operations and one of Major Thagel's instructors. 

His last training flight took Major Thagel, 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 air space with air traffic controllers, practice emergency procedures and to perform touch and go landings. 

"Our whole focus here is to get them to the point where they can accomplish their missions without U.S. Air Force help," explained 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 Three, the upgradee must meet several requirements. First, he must be checked as a first pilot or co-pilot, requiring the upgradee to process basic knowledge of flying aircraft, radio, checklist and emergency procedures and he must accumulate 100 hours flying as a first pilot. 

After these requirements have been met, the Iraqi Squadron commander will recommend the first pilot 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 basically judged how well he did while flying the aircraft while orchestrating the mission." 

Most of the pilots have a basic knowledge of flying, but they haven't flown in several years, she added. 

Major Thagel learned to fly when he attended the Iraqi Air Force College in 1993. 

The Iraqi major explained that during Saddam's regime, pilots flew old aircraft and were given 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 save our country." 

"The Iraqis here in the Iraqi Squadron Three have the capability to do everything on their own except evaluate their own training; at this point, we're here to facilitate the training aspect," 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." 

There are 25 pilots and co-pilots in Iraqi Squadron Three; Major Thagel is one of six Iraqi pilots who have become Cessna Caravan mission commanders with training from U.S. Airmen. 

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

"I love this mission. These guys are like my family," said Colonel Havens. "This is my second tour with these guys. It is neat to be a part of the rebirth of a country's air force. I love it!"