MISSION TO IRAQ: ADVISING AND SUPPORT FOR THE AIR FORCES

Air Force military personnel deployed on the mission in Iraq are supporting the Coalition to build and strengthen Iraqi air power. “One mission, many nations” is the motto of the Combined Joint Task Force engaged in the operation.Inherent Resolvewhich began in Iraq in October 2014 to maintain national security and definitively eliminate any remaining Daesh elements in Iraq. This is supported by the Coalition Air Advisory and Training Team, whose aim is to help build and strengthen Iraq’s air power. Since last December, Italy has been part of the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, with nine Italian Air Force personnel, to whom a further three will be added in the coming days. The positions held are of significant importance; Colonel Marco Mastroberti has taken on the prestigious role of Deputy Commander and Italian Senior Officer within the group. He is responsible for coordinating the training of the Iraqi Air Force and the process of reviewing its air assets. The Coalition Air Training Group is divided into two detachments, deployed at Balad Air Base and Baghdad Airport respectively. Within the Balad detachment, personnel act as advisers and mentors to Iraqi Air Force pilots on the planning, preparation and execution of close air support. At the Baghdad detachment, Italian military personnel provide aviation consultancy. Their main task is to analyse the current selection and training process for Iraqi pilots in order to identify, through close collaboration, the best methodology for assigning pilots to specific aircraft types. The 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group reports directly to the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, based in Baghdad, where, at the beginning of last month, an officer and pilot from the Italian Air Force was also assigned, tasked with advising and supporting the Iraqi contingent in setting up and managing selection, education and training courses for the subsequent operational deployment of helicopter pilots. The invaluable aviation advisory support provided by the Italian Air Force is a demonstration of professionalism and expertise recognised internationally, which complements the already substantial Italian military presence within theCoalition.
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