Iraqi Flight Training

An Iraqi pilot talks to his instructor about what he will be doing in the sky while flying his plane at Kirkuk Air Base. All potential Iraqi pilots attend initial flight screening for two months followed by 10 months of training in the Cessna 172 and the Cessna Caravan 208 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristin English)

Iraqi pilot program trains future leaders

Published Aug. 30, 2011
By By Senior Airman Chuck Broadway
9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq/Air Component Coordination Element Public Affairs

KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Since the Iraqi Pilot training program began in 2008, more than 60 Iraqi pilots have earned their wings under the tutelage of U.S. advisors. The pilot program has also produced 30 instructor pilots who, along with U.S. advisors, will continue to educate and train students to strengthen the Iraqi Air Force.

Iraqi pilot training at Kirkuk is similar to initial flight school for U.S. military pilots. Lt. Col. Ned Sandlin, 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander, said the Iraqis learn the basics of flying. This includes attention to detail, airmanship and foundational flying skills such as instrumentation, flying off the terrain and aircraft handling characteristics.

"The Iraqis get a very similar feel to what training is like in the states," Colonel Sandlin said when comparing the Kirkuk program to undergraduate pilot training in the U.S. "It's so similar that any U.S. instructor pilot can come over here and quickly recognize and adapt to the way the squadron operates."

All potential Iraqi pilots attend initial flight screening for two months, followed by 10 months of training in the Cessna 172 and Cessna Caravan 208 aircraft. From there, they will fly a transport, reconnaissance or Iraqi fighter aircraft.

"We like for most of the instructing to be done by the Iraqi pilots," said Colonel Sandlin, a San Luis Obispo, Calif., native deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "Our mission is to teach the Iraqis to be teachers of the aircraft."

U.S. pilots usually fly with Iraqi instructors to boost production and help their instructional skills.

"I've learned so much from our instructors," said one Iraqi instructor pilot about his U.S. advisors. "They are patient with (the students) and are helping us become better pilots and (a better) air force. It's great to use what they've taught me to help teach others."
Colonel Sandlin said the progress of the Iraqi pilots is outstanding and bodes well for their bright future.

"We are trying to build up their capabilities for the future," he said. "It's important for a country to have a strong air force in order to defend their airspace and the borders."
Sandlin said that Iraq will be a long-term, strategic partner with the U.S. and it's extremely important to have Iraq as an ally. Building a foundation with Iraqi pilot training is a key element to future relations.

"The people we are teaching at Kirkuk are going to be future leaders in the Iraqi Air Force," Colonel Sandlin said. "When you consider every single pilot will come through Kirkuk at one point or another, you know there are future leaders in their air force. It's incredibly important to build good relationships that last a lifetime."