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 U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
