Article

2006-09-05 Iraq

Iraq Assumes Control of Its 8th Army Division

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Posted by Glenmore 2006-09-05 09:20|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The two things the Iraqi army still needs is a heavy division or two, which I guess is in the works, and an air force.

I suspect that we will quietly hunt up prospective pilots and mechanics and ship them off to Texas very discreetly. Then they will suddenly return home to Iraq with their aircraft, to a fully operational airbase or three, under tight security.

This will make the Iranians poop large inside their burkas.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-09-05 10:55|| 2006-09-05 10:55|| Front Page Top

#2 But whaddabout the Yahoo/AP article I posted as Bodies Scattered Around Baghdad?

Rebecca, the AP writer, sez, Disagreements continued over the handover of Iraq's armed forces command from the U.S.-led coalition to the Iraqi government

Hmmmm.....

Maybe her stringers didn't see the news about the division assuming control? Or just didn't report it to her in the Green Zone? Or maybe she edited it out as 'irrelevant'?

Posted by Bobby 2006-09-05 14:16|| 2006-09-05 14:16|| Front Page Top

#3 I suspect that we will quietly hunt up prospective pilots and mechanics and ship them off to Texas very discreetly. Then they will suddenly return home to Iraq with their aircraft, to a fully operational airbase or three, under tight security.

Well, not so discreetly:
BAGHDAD, March 3, 2006 A fully certified aircrew takes flight, and a single air base opens its gates. These feats represent giant steps toward independence and national security to Iraqi airmen training side by side here with U.S. Air Force members. Since November, the U.S. Air Force has taken on the mission of standing up the Iraqi air force, enabling Iraqis to gradually take over operations and help secure their nation's future. "In only a few months they have made significant progress," U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David W. Eidsaune, Air Component Coordination Element director, said. "We're working closely with them on a plan for their future. We agree on where they're going and how to get there."

Iraqi airmen agree that progress has been made, but know there's still a long road to travel. "We are starting over," Iraqi Air Force Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Kamal Barzanjy said. "America has given us a lot of help, and we have already accomplished many things, but we need to keep growing." To assist them, the U.S. has given the Iraq a small fleet of C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.

Despite these growing pains, the Iraqi air force is taking part in some coalition operations. "The IAF is playing a limited, but effective role in our operations," Eidsaune said. "Their current aircraft are kept busy transporting troops, supplies and distinguished visitors." In addition, the Iraqi air force plays a small role in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. "Iraqi ISR assets are tasked by the local (Iraqi) army division to scan their local infrastructure, including pipelines and borders," he said. "These assets bring back valuable intelligence to ground commanders, and are definitely making a difference."

Posted by Steve 2006-09-05 14:45|| 2006-09-05 14:45|| Front Page Top

#4 I just wonder if the new IAF will equip itself with all Western aircraft or if they will do like the Iraqi Army and blending in Western equipment with their old Soviet stuff? One advantage to the IAF using rebuilt Soviet aircraft like Migs or Sukhois is that they have institutional memory involving them. Also, the costs of upgraded Migs and the like from the new NATO powers like Poland and Hungary is still less per plane than most of the Western models. Another benefit to that approach is that it lets the new NATO countries selloff their old equipment and switch to newer Western gear, at a faster pace and less cost since the old gear is paying for much of the new gear.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2006-09-05 20:50|| 2006-09-05 20:50|| Front Page Top

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