WINEP, Aug 07: Training the Iraqi Air Force: Lessons from a U.S. C-130 Advisory Mission
The initial need to police more than 3,500 miles of border, monitor national assets, deploy security forces, and airlift senior government officials led to the rebuilding of the IqAF. Given the mission requirements, initial efforts focused on acquiring surveillance aircraft, fixed-winged transportation, and rotary lift. This chapter focuses on the acquisition of C-130 aircraft for the IqAF and establishment of the Advisory Support Team mission. As background, the discussion begins with the Iraqi request and U.S. actions to identify C-130 aircraft, initial funding, and advisors. It concludes with a review of command relationships and establishment of CAFTT to provide an initial understanding of existing chains of command and the organizations responsible for the operations of aviation advisors in Iraq....