Three C-130s of Iraq’s 23rd Air Transport Squadron flew two battalions of Iraqi security troops from Irbil to Tall Afar in Iraq over a two-day period last week, Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, with the Multinational Force Iraq, told reporters Thursday. The flights marked the first use of the new Iraqi air force to directly support the deployment of Iraqi combat forces inside of Iraq. Iraq’s new air arm begins life with a great advantage over its predecessor—the US Air Force is now a friend, rather than an adversary.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.