Iraqi Air Force Implements First Solo Flight

The Iraqi air force has implemented its first solo flight in the south of Iraq for two hours with an expedition airplane, reported Al Sharq Al Awsat newspaper Monday.
The Iraqi air force, which includes 160 pilots, copilots, and administration officers, is still in the first stage of development, the air force's commander lieutenant Colonel Kamal Al Barazanchi was quoted as saying.

However, this step is the fist on the right course to build the Iraqi air force, which has only two airplanes now and next month eight Australian airplanes would arrive, he added.
The commander, meanwhile, pointed out that the airplanes would help in protecting the oil institutions, oil pipelines and electricity institutions.
Iraqi pilots have already went on joint flights with the coalition forces, he said.