State Dept. deal calls for Iraq aircraft support

WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Iraq for AC-208 Combat Caravan sustainment, logistics and spares support worth $181 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, notified Congress of the possible sale Tuesday.

Baghdad has requested the sale of a five-year sustainment package for its AC/RC-208 fleet that includes operational, intermediate and depot-level maintenance, spare parts, component repair, publication updates, maintenance training and logistics.

The proposed sale would also include contract logistics, training and engineering services.

The sustainment package would allow Iraq's air force to continue operating its eight C-208 light attack and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft beyond the end of its existing contract logistics service contract, which expires this month, the agency said.

"Ultimately, the goal is for the [Iraq air force] to become self-sufficient in the areas of aircraft maintenance and logistics training," the agency said. "Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing this support."

Orbital ATK and Flight Safety International would be the principal contractors.

The AC-208 is based off ATK's Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft. It provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and can be armed with Hellfire missiles.