Iraqi Government Will Train Qualified Pilots In U.S.
Aircraft
Painted in desert camouflage with a brightly colored flag of
Iraq were the words, “Iraqi Army Aviation” in bold
letters along the tail ... helicopters were staged on an airfield
in Iraq as service members and other personnel worked to assemble
and test fly the new aircraft.
T-407 In Iraq U.S. Army Photo
A day after the helicopters were delivered by a U.S. Air Force
C-17 aircraft, personnel began unloading the brand-new rotor blades
from their wooden crates. One by one they were assembled on the
T-407 helicopters. The Bell T-407s, a training helicopter, will
benefit the Iraqi government by training qualified pilots to
operate and maintain the Iraqi army 407 Armed Scout Helicopters,
which are scheduled to be fielded by the end of 2011. Essentially
with the T-407 training aircraft, the GOI and the Army Aviation
command will be able to generate IA-407 pilots and teach them how
to utilize the cutting-edge avionics the new 407 aircraft
provides,” said Air Force Maj. Scott Fitzner, foreign
military sales case manager, United States Forces - Iraq.
“To get to this point in the transition is real nice and
I’m excited about getting in the cockpit with Lt. Col. Abbas
and his staff, getting this transition a little further
along,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer Jason Glenn, a
Redstone Test Center, Ala., experimental test pilot. “The
T-407s will allow the Iraqi pilots to become familiar with the
aircraft and practice tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure
this is an enduring capability for the long term to utilize the
armed version upon delivery,” added Fitzner, a Courtland, MN
native.
Once all four rotor blades were mounted onto the T-407
helicopters, aircraft technicians along with Army Chief Warrant
Officer Robert Grosnick, of Redstone Arsenal, AL, helicopter pilot
with the Program Executive Office - Aviation, and Glenn, began
inspecting the aircraft for quality assurance before the first test
flight.
T-407 In Iraq U.S. Army Photo
Despite the cold weather and a mild haze over the airfield,
Glenn and Grosnick started up the T-407s after the maintenance
checks were completed. With all four doors detached, they began the
first test flight of the helicopters along with other personnel in
the passenger seats, flying in formation over Iraq. “As part
of Operation New Dawn, we’re basically advising, training and
assisting to get Iraq back on their own feet, as far as internal
security and stability, and the T-407s provide a capability
that’s critical for them to do that,” said Fitzner.
“The T-407 is the first step for us to help the Iraqi Army
Aviation be part of the Iraqi Army who helps to protect and serve
our people,” said Lt. Col. Abbas, a commander and instructor
pilot, with 21st Squadron, Iraqi Army Aviation Command.
ANN Salutes Specialist Amie McMillan, 10th Public
Affairs Operations Center.
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