October 25,2008:
Iraqi Air Force and government
officials are in the United States meeting with U.S. Air Force officers on
plans for the new Iraqi Air Force. The Iraqis want to use the U.S. Air Force as
a model. This is a follow up on an earlier request to buy 36 U.S. F-16
fighters. When told that it would take at least five years to train Iraqi
pilots and ground crews to effectively use and maintain such aircraft, the
Iraqis responded that they understood, and wanted to do whatever it takes to
build an effective air force. They know, even then, there will probably be
problems.
The historical
experience has been that, in Arab countries, buying such high tech warplanes, usually
run into personnel problems. Pilots are often selected more for their loyalty
to the government, than for their flying skills. Ground crew jobs pay well, and
are sometimes given out at gifts to loyal supporters of whoever is running the
government at the moment. As a result, the high-tech aircraft tend to be flown
by substandard pilots, and not available for operations (because of poor
maintenance) as much as in Western air forces.
The Iraqis
want to deal with those problems. The old Iraqi Air Force suffered under
Saddam, with pilots selected for loyalty more than competence, and readiness
compromised by corruption and inept administration. The Iraqis have noted how
these traditional methods have created second and third rate air forces. So
they want to try and be diligent students. While Americans, and some Iraqis,
see all this as an attempt to better deal with Iran, even more Iraqis are
willing to do whatever it takes to create an air force that can do some damage
to Israel.
The Iraqis
also want to discuss the purchase of 24 armed Bell 406 and 24 AH-6 helicopters.
The Iraqis have heard about the success of the Bell 406 (on which the U.S. Army
OH-58 is based) in Saudi service. The Iraqis want the AH-6 because they have
seen it in use by U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command). The AH-6 is also
derived from the Bell 406. Iraq is also interested in the new C-130J transport, which is performing
very well in U.S. service, and with several other countries.