By Patrick Schmidt.
The United States government has approved a $500 million program that would assist and train Iraqi pilots. The funding is directed toward helping the Iraqi Air Force mobilize its American-made rotary wing aircraft, including the Bell 407, OH-58, and Huey II.
The Iraqi government made the request for support at the end of July. A spokesman for the US Department of Defense noted,
“The government of Iraq needs this logistics support, contractor maintenance, training, and technical services to maintain the operational capabilities of its aircraft."
The contract will send approximately 30 personnel from the American government as well as Bell Helicopter Textron to Iraq. The contract will remain valid for five years.
(Source: World Tribune)
[…] The US approved a $500 million program to assist and train Iraqi pilots. The funding is directed toward helping the Iraqi Air Force mobilise its US-made rotary wing aircraft, including the Bell 407, OH-58, and Huey II. (Link). […]