US Air Force personnel helped other coalition and Iraqi airmen to officially open the Al Muthana Air Base near Bagdhad Airport on March 7. Maj. Gen. Kamal Barzanjy, Iraqi Air Force Chief of Staff, called the ceremony, which included a static display of two of the IAF’s C-130s and Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, “important for Iraqis.” He went on: “It is important for them to see tangible results and cooperation.” USAF airmen have been training IAF personnel to operate and maintain the C-130 transports.
The Air Force is seeking funding to let its pilots fly a little more than 1.1 million hours in fiscal 2027, which would be the most in about four years. But even if Airmen actually do fly all 1.1 million hours, it would still be short of the 1.3 million…