Iraqi general visits Luke, flies in F-16

[tigershark]

Iraqi general visits Luke, flies in F-16
by 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/19/2008 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS)  -- Ten years ago, Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Ali al-Aaragy was flying F-1 Mirage fighters for his country's air force, but on Dec. 15 he was flying in an F-16 Fighting Falcon over Arizona.

The general, who works as his country's air force adviser to the minister of defense, visited Luke AFB to enhance the relationship and partnership between the Iraqi air force and the U.S. Air Force.

"It was a dream come true to fly in the F-16," the general said after his flight that was piloted by Lt. Col. Jack Maixner, the 63rd Fighter Squadron commander.

The general spent about 10 days in the United States, first visiting Randolph AFB, Texas, where he flew in the T-6 Texan and T-38 Talon, two aircraft he said he hopes will soon be entering the Iraqi air force's inventory. The general said the visit to the American bases allowed him to see the current developments in training and fighter aircraft for possible procurement by his country's government.

At Luke AFB, the Iraqi general spoke with Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, the 56th Fighter Wing commander, who explained how Luke AFB is organized, managed and operates. This was one of the most impressive aspects of the U.S. Air Force he learned about during his trip, General Ali said.

"I like how each air base is different and was surprised to see how they are managed," he said. "I would like to copy these air bases and place them in Iraq."

Not only was the general impressed with the way Air Force bases are managed, but partnership with local communities was another factor he said was an impressive aspect of the U.S. Air Force.

General Ali, who has 2,000 hours in the French-made F-1 Mirage, praised the Air Force and what it's done for his country and air force in Iraq.

"Our cooperation with the Coalition Air Force Training Teams has led Iraq to be able to protect the infrastructure, fight terrorists and insurgents and protect Iraq's sovereignty," he said. "The Iraqi people know that terrorism is a threat to Iraq and right now the Iraqi army and air force enjoy good cooperation with the people in regard to reporting suspicious activities."

After his visit to Luke AFB, the general was scheduled to return to Iraq, bringing photos and videos of his trip to not only show his government, but also the Iraqi people, capabilities, partnership and friendship the U.S. Air Force is giving Iraq.

"I want to thank the U.S. Air Force for how they are helping us and trying to push the Iraqi air force forward," General Ali said. "We are working together as one team to rebuild the Iraqi air force."

The photos and videos shot by Airmen from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C., are to be aired on Iraqi national television Jan. 6 for the Iraqi armed forces day.

"Through our television channels, we will be able to show the people how the U.S. Air Force is working with us to build a new Iraqi air force," the general said.

Source
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123128924