08/12/2011: An Iraqi plane taking off, in-flight and landing.http://www.sather.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123261978
Credit:U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs: 07/04/2011
6/29/2011 – BAGHDAD — The 52nd Expeditionary Fighter Training Squadron changed leadership during a joint U.S. Air Force and Iraq air force change of command ceremony June 19.Lt. Col. Andrew Hamann assumed command of the 52nd Expeditionary Fighter Training Squadron from Lt. Col. Charles Stevens while Brig. Gen. Anthony Rock, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander and Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission – Air director, and leaders of the Iraqi air force looked on. “I’m proud to be a part of this mission for our friends and allies in the Iraqi air force,” Colonel Hamann said.
“Here in the 52nd, that partnership includes some of the best Air Force Airmen who are executing this mission.”The mission of the 52nd EFTS is to advise and assist in building an Iraqi air force with foundational and enduring capabilities in flying training while establishing a continuing relationship between the United States and the Iraqi air force. The 52nd EFTS is the U.S Air Force’s only expeditionary flying training squadron.”As the Iraq air force continues to grow and develop its 21st century capabilities, our partnerships will continue to expand as well,” he said. “The T6 and the 52nd EFTS, in executing the pilot training mission here at (Contingency Operation Base) Speicher, is the foundation to what the Iraq air force will grow into in the coming years and really decades from now – ours is a very important mission.”The 52nd EFTS is a subordinate unit of the 321st AEW, which is the wing responsible for the Iraq Training Advisory Mission-Air. ITAM-Air trains, advises and assists the Iraqi air force to develop as a professional and credible regional airpower partner, with the ability to maintain internal security and defend against external threats no later than December 31.