Iraq orders F-16s, helicopters

BAGHDAD, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government announced plans to purchase more than 500 military aircraft from the United States and France, with first deliveries expected in 2011.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Joint Forces Gen. Nasier Abadi issued initial orders Sunday to boost the fledgling Iraqi air force's training and infrastructure inventory, a report by The Long War Journal said Thursday.

The order of 36 F-16 Fighting Falcons, 24 AT-6B Light Attack Aircraft Trainers and a variety of attack and reconnaissance helicopters will go toward plans to develop 10 air force bases with 6,000 crewmen by 2011.

The Iraqi air force currently has seven squadrons, with at least two additional squadrons planned to coincide with 2011 deliveries.

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense says it hopes to have an independent air force by at least 2020 as most of the squadrons will lack sufficient training until 2015.

Meeting in Crystal City, Va., in October, Iraqi military officials spoke with their American counterparts on plans to model the Iraqi air force after the U.S. version.

Samer Abid al-Wahaab, a Defense Ministry spokesman, said at the time that air power was integral to Iraq's security objectives.

"Iraq faces multiple challenges: We need to control our open borders and defend against external aggression, while our counterparts must maintain internal security and overall law and order," he said.