For the first time since the Iraqi air force was reconstituted, an Iraqi pilot fired a missile from an aircraft–scoring a bull’s eye, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I) recently said.
A three-man Iraqi aircrew from Squadron 3 fired an AGM-114 Hellfire missile from an AC-208 Caravan at a target on a bombing range near Al Asad Air Base.
The Nov. 4 event marked a milestone for the Iraqi military as it becomes increasingly responsible for its own security, MNSTC-I said in a statement. The ability for Iraqi aircrews to launch missiles from the AC-208 will dramatically improve their ability to operationally support Iraqi security forces on the ground and achieves a key foundational capability for a credible and enduring Iraqi air force.
“These rockets will have a great and active role in fighting terrorism in all parts of Iraq,” said Staff Lt. Gen. Anwar Hamad Amen Ahmed, Iraqi air force commander.
“I’m extremely proud of both the Iraqi Air Force and our Advisor Team,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Rob Kane, director of Iraq Training Advisory Mission-Air Force. “Together we have all worked hard to make this important day a reality. From the enlisted crews who loaded the missiles, to the aircrew who employed the system, to the air operations directors who integrated the entire sequence of clearance and authorization, this live-fire exercise was a perfect example of what a strong professional partnership between air forces looks like.”
This capability is several years in the making and a dramatic step forward in establishing the Iraqi military as a credible and effective force for defending the people of Iraq, said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq.
To date, ATK [ATK] has delivered 11 modified C-208 aircraft in support of U.S. government contracts for rebuilding the Iraqi air forcel three reconnaissance aiorcraft, five training aricraft and three AC0208 aircraft. While Iraqi aircrew are working with Hellfires on the AC-208, it is possible that other weapons could be integrated onto the AC-208 in the future.