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Iraqi C-130J maintainers move toward self-sufficiency with U.S. air advisor support

  • Published
  • By Capt. Benjamin Hughes
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGHDAD --  In an effort to gain self-sufficiency, the Iraq Air Force certified their 5- and 7-level craftsman C-130J Super Hercules maintenance technicians during an upgrade ceremony, July 31, 2018, at Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq.

The maintenance personnel accomplished all the milestones necessary for advancement and IqAF leadership recognized the certification of 23 maintainers. This is second time since late 2017 they have held this ceremony and it is just one of the ways the IqAF has demonstrated progress towards self-reliance, especially in the wake of a recent contract lapse for logistics support.

“We want to be independent and we want to take care of everything ourselves,” said IqAF Brig. Gen. Husni Khazaal Al Maliki, Al Muthana Technical Wing commander. “The most important thing for that is our trainers.”

To build their base of certified trainers, the IqAF recently conducted their first train-the-trainer course for 7-level technicians. In previous iterations, U.S. air advisors assigned to the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, led the same courses twice, culminating in a total of 40 qualified trainers.

Those trainers will be able to return to their respective squadrons and certify their maintenance technicians for upgrade to 5- and 7-level in their specific roles including engine, crew chief, electrician, avionics, and fuels.

The ability to perform upgrade training and completely ensure the Iraqi airmen are able perform all the tasks necessary for the individual’s maintenance roles makes the IqAF squadrons self-sustaining, said Staff Sgt. Chance Howell, 770th AEAS lead nondestructive inspection advisor.

“Seeing the Iraqis lead their own course was a fulfilling experience,” said Howell. “We were able to see all of our efforts to develop an organic training program come to fruition.”

The initiative will save the IqAF money by not having to send technicians away for training. According to Husni, the “process is on their shoulders,” so they will have to make sure they have the tools necessary to be successful trainers so they can create proficient technicians.

“It is a big responsibility,” said IqAF Maj. Raid Abdul-Hadi, Squadron 23 avionics shop lead and the train-the-trainer course instructor. “We have to take care of [our maintenance program] and do it the right way. We are on the right track.”

After Iraq declared victory of ISIS in December 2017, the battle-tested Iraqi airmen who maintain the C-130J aircraft continued to work with the U.S. air advisors to gain expertise and new skills.

Those skills were put to the test when an Iraqi C-130J aircraft exceeded its operating gravitational force limit requiring a full maintenance inspection. The “over G” exceedance, which occurred during a routine operation check maneuver, was minor and not initially noticed by the crew.

After the flight, the Iraqi maintainers deciphered the tech data from the aircraft computer system, which is in English, and determined the right course of action by following their technical orders, said Tech. Sgt. William Church, 770th AEAS crew chief advisor.

“I was very impressed,” said Church. “They knew exactly what they needed to do. It was a big chance for them to prove themselves.”
Every leading edge, which are the forward facing sides of the aircraft, needed to be removed. Normally this process takes up to 12 days to complete the full inspection.

According to Church, it is a very complicated repair with all the parts involved. Issues can arise throughout the process, but the Iraqi C-130J maintenance team, working three shifts around the clock, completed the work in just five days.

“They worked so fast,” he said. “I have confidence in them, but I was concerned about air bleeds with all the connections. I checked the downloaded data after the flight and it was perfect.”

The IqAF wants to maintain and operate C-130J's organically, without contractor support, said Maj. Randall Turner, 770th AEAS director of operations. He added, the air advisors will continue to provide support and build the partnership with their Iraqi counterparts as they continue to increase their capability.

“I was pretty proud of what the Iraqis accomplished, but also what our air advisors accomplished,” said Turner. “We work hand-in-hand every day. We are a product of each other's success.”
Husni, who is also proud of the team’s successes together, echoed those sentiments.

“I’ve always said that we have a good team supporting us. They care about our work with us,” he said. “When your friends are on your side, it gives you a positive power to move forward.”