First CH 2000 Aircraft Delivered to Basrah
Baghdad, Iraq - The Iraqi Air Force's 70th Squadron took possession of the first two American-made SAMA CH2000 light air surveillance aircraft, Jan. 17, in Basrah.
The Iraqi Air Force will receive two CH2000 airplanes per month - with final deliveries completing the $5.8 million acquisition in the spring of 2005. An option to purchase an additional eight aircraft, on a similar monthly schedule, has yet to be exercised.
The CH2000 is a two-seat single engine-prop airplane.
"This is the second stage of building the Air Force," Iraqi Air Force Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Kamal Al-Barzanjy said. "There will be many stages in the future."
The new aircraft has special imaging capabilities and complements the similarly equipped SEEKER aircraft allowing missions to run at all hours. Operations will continue out of Basrah with the 70th Squadron crews and will be supported from Kirkuk when a second squadron stands up early next year.
The Air Force will also continue to coordinate flight missions with Iraqi and Multi-National Forces on the ground.
"These planes," Al-Barzanjy said, "will enable us to fly reconnaissance day or night."
Release #050117u
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