US Air Force personnel helped other coalition and Iraqi airmen to officially open the Al Muthana Air Base near Bagdhad Airport on March 7. Maj. Gen. Kamal Barzanjy, Iraqi Air Force Chief of Staff, called the ceremony, which included a static display of two of the IAF’s C-130s and Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, “important for Iraqis.” He went on: “It is important for them to see tangible results and cooperation.” USAF airmen have been training IAF personnel to operate and maintain the C-130 transports.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.