http://operationgive.c5host.com Operation Give : Blog http://operationgive.c5host.com/frontlines/2007/3/29/news-from-iraq/ 3/29/2007 - KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) -- The Iraqi airforce is taking off once again with the help of U.S. Air Force Airmenwho serve with the Coalition Air Force Transition Team in Iraq.At IAF Squadron 70 in Basra and IAF Squadron 3 in Kirkuk, Iraqi airmenfly intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions over oil pipelines and other areas of interest, all the while keeping an eye outfor insurgent activity."They protect the oil pipelines and infrastructure, and perform generalcounter-terrorism and intelligence gathering," said Maj. Gary Lyles, CAFTT intelligence and surveillance program manager. "They have the gameplan, and now they are starting to run with the ball."At IAF Squadron 23 located at New Al Muthana Air Base in Baghdad, Iraqiairmen fly C-130E aircraft missions to deliver troops and cargo insupport of the Iraqi government. As the largest and most seasoned IAFsquadron, Squadron 23 has about 45 aircrew, 120 maintenance and 130support personnel assigned. "The C-130 program is the most advanced," said General Hoog. "It's beenin place for two-and-a-half years, and we've been training Iraqi pilotsside-by-side with our Air Force advisers. They fly each and every day doing cargo missions, and they are already flying troops in from Basraand Irbil.".... Thu, 29 Mar 2007 19:01:00 EDT