Tue, Dec 27, 2011
Flag-Casing Ceremony Held In Mid-December Marked The End To
Units' Operational Status
Four air expeditionary units that were the air and space
components to U.S. Forces-Iraq inactivated during a flag-casing
ceremony December 18.
The 467th Air Expeditionary Group, 368th Expeditionary Air
Support Operations Group, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and 9th Air
and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq stood down following the
conclusion of Operation New Dawn. "For many of us here today we
have spent most of our adult lives engaged in the battle to free
first Kuwait and then Iraq," said Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, the U.S.
Air Forces Central Command commander, who presided over the
ceremony. "Today is a day full of emotions, a day of reflection,
and a day to remember -- it's also a day to remember all those who
died in Iraq for our country, for Iraq, for this region . . .
for their brothers and sisters in arms."
The ceremony was held hours after the last U.S. military convoy
departed Iraq and crossed into Kuwait, punctuating the end of a
nearly nine-year war. It also afforded senior leaders an
opportunity to reflect over the many accomplishments and sacrifices
of service members. "Because of you, and those like you, a nation
is free, full of people who can go to the polls, elect the leaders
of their choosing, without risk of being persecuted or struck down
by a brutal regime," said Maj. Gen. Russ Handy, the 9th Air and
Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq commander. "Through your
sacrifices, you have provided immense opportunity (to the Iraqi
people) with the potential (for them) to do great things."
During Operation New Dawn, the U.S. Air Force helped advance the
Iraqi air force through mentoring, training and advising Iraqi
airmen on everything from support functions to operations while
they steadily modernized and rebuilt. At the end of 2006, the Iraqi
air force had only 748 airmen and 28 aircraft. Now, the force has
more than 6,000 airmen and 72 aircraft in its inventory, including
the T-6 and C-130E Hercules.
USAF Photo C-130 In Iraq
In September, through the Foreign Military Sales program, the
government of Iraq made its first payment for 18 F-16 Fighting
Falcon fighter aircraft. The FMS program is the
government-to-government method for selling U.S. defense equipment,
services and training. With this F-16 package, Iraq purchased
logistical support as well as pilot and maintenance training. When
the aircraft are delivered, sometime in late 2014 or 2015, Iraq
will have one of the most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft in
the world in its inventory. "We have enabled the Iraqis to prepare
for their own future," Gen. Norman Schwartz, the Air Force Chief of
Staff, said during his recent visit to Iraq. "We will certainly
continue to have a relationship and will continue to work with
them."
ANN Salutes Master Sgt. Kerry Jackson 321st Air Expeditionary Wing
Public Affairs
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