News>Iraqi air force F-16 training takes off in Arizona
Photos
Col. Andrew MacDonald shows Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Abdulhussein Lafta Ali Ali how to pre-flight an F-16D Fighting Falcon before an orientation flight at Tucson International Airport, Aug. 30, 2012. MacDonald is the 162nd Operations Group commander. Abdulhussein, with a delegation of senior Iraqi officers, visited the international F-16 training wing where Iraqi pilots are learning to fly the multirole fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Gabe Johnson)
Col. Andrew MacDonald helps Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Abdulhussein Lafta Ali Ali buckle into an F-16D Fighting Falcon before an orientation flight at Tucson International Airport, Aug. 30, 2012. MacDonald is the 162nd Operations Group commander. Abdulhussein, with a delegation of senior Iraqi officers, visited the international F-16 training wing where Iraqi pilots are learning to fly the multirole fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Gabe Johnson)
Col. Andrew MacDonald takes off with Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Abdulhussein Lafta Ali Ali in an F-16D Fighting Falcon for an orientation flight at Tucson International Airport, Aug. 30, 2012. MacDonald is the 162nd Operations Group commander. Abdulhussein, with a delegation of senior Iraqi officers, visited the international F-16 training wing where Iraqi pilots are learning to fly the multirole fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Gabe Johnson)
by Maj. Gabe Johnson
162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/1/2012 - TUCSON, Ariz. (AFNS) -- While the Republic of Iraq anticipates an initial delivery
of F-16 Fighting Falcons in September 2014, the pilots who will fly them
embark on a historic partnership with the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd
Fighter Wing here to learn how to fly the multipurpose fighter.
Already, two Iraqis have joined aspiring fighter pilots from the United
States, Singapore, Poland, Denmark, Japan and the Netherlands at the U.S.
Air Force's international F-16 schoolhouse at Tucson International Airport.
A delegation of senior Iraqi Air Force officers visited the unit Aug. 30 to
assess their students' progress and reaffirm their partnership with the
desert fighter wing.
"We have an opportunity to work with a critical partner in a very strategic
region of world," said Col. Mick McGuire, 162nd Fighter Wing commander.
"They have an opportunity to see what a professional operation we are and as
a result of their visit I think we'll have a long-standing relationship with
the Iraqi air force -- at least through 2020 -- training F-16 pilots and
providing a true coalition warfighting partner for the United States and an
ability for them to defend their country for years to come."
In 1986, Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Abdulhussein Lafta Ali Ali flew
Soviet-era MiG-21s but said he dreamed of flying the F-16.
Now visiting Tucson as a senior officer in his air force's operations
directorate, he flew with American pilots to experience the F-16's
capabilities and the unique demands of U.S. fighter training.
"The F-16 project is most important for our two nations," he said. "This is
the first time Iraqis have flown F-16s. It's important for us to understand
the training schedule and syllabus for our student pilots because the first
pilots who train here will one day be examples for our other pilots."
After his orientation flight, Abdulhussein noted the F-16's high thrust to
weight ratio, maneuverability, aerodynamic shape, avionics, load capacity,
and its design which allows pilots to better endure G forces.
"We reached more than 7 Gs during our flight, and the (tilt-back) angle of
the seat made it easy. In the MiG-21 the seat is more vertical making G
forces difficult," he said. "This is the best aircraft for us and this is
the best place for our pilots to train."
Air Guardsmen here train more than 70 international student pilots per year,
offering several training programs that range from initial F-16 training to
qualify new pilots to an advanced weapons course. Under the current contract
between the U.S. and Iraq, the 162nd FW will train a total of 27 Iraqi pilots.
Until they receive their own fighters, the initial cadre of pilots will
remain in Tucson. After they complete the six-to-eight month basic course
they will continue through flight lead upgrade training, additional
seasoning and instructor pilot certification.
According to McGuire, a tailored syllabus is among several factors that make
the wing an attractive option for international fighter pilot training.
"First and foremost, the 162nd (FW) has an unparalleled safety record because our
maintainers average 18 years of experience specializing on the F-16," said
the colonel. "That instills confidence in the nations we train."
Adding to the secure feeling of flying aircraft from one of the safest F-16
fleets in the world is the freedom afforded by Arizona's plentiful ranges,
he said.
The Barry Goldwater Range in southwest Arizona consists of 2.7 million acres
of relatively undisturbed Sonoran desert. Overhead are 57,000 cubic miles of
airspace where fighter pilots can practice air-to-air maneuvers and engage
simulated battlefield targets on the ground.
"Finally, we average 17,000 flying hours per year, and we're able to do that
because of Arizona's year-round flying weather. Less than 3 percent of
scheduled sorties here are canceled due to weather," he said.
The elements add up to optimal flight-training conditions which allow the
wing's cadre of 80 instructor pilots to execute an aggressive training
schedule.
"The students get the best possible flight education when they come here,"
said McGuire, "and our Airmen take great pride in their mission -- they see
the big picture."
"Partnership building it's about flying together, operating together and
training together, so if we have to, we can fight together. On a deeper
level, it's about friendships. With F-16s in operation around the world,
creating the foundation of a relationship is absolutely invaluable."
Comments
9/5/2012 2:33:21 PM ET Yes big mistake. They'll have their Falcons all sold to the highest bidder within a year of delivery. Corruption is embedded in their DNA.
Travis, Houston
9/4/2012 12:31:18 PM ET Forget air support - any guess' on how many years before they are used directly against us...we as a nation never learn from our mistakes. No where in the UN resolution does it say we are responsible to provide them with air assests...come on already
Tim, Tucson
9/1/2012 11:06:04 PM ET Big mistake. We ought to give them the AT-6 Texan. Thats all they deserve. Think we'll ever get any air support from them Doubtful
