An all-Iraqi aircrew successfully launched a Hellfire surface-attack missile from an AC-208 Cessna Caravan aircraft over the Aziziyah training range, south of Baghdad, destroying the ground target. This test was another important milestone for the fledgling air arm, which is maturing under the mentorship of US Air Force air advisors. “Today’s successful precision-guided weapon exercise marks another advancement in Iraqi air power,” said Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander at Sather Air Base, of the Nov. 8 test. He added, “The Iraqi Air Force incorporated a complex mix of targets, overhead surveillance, plus command and control for weapons release from their air operations center.” The 321st AEW trains and advises the Iraqi airmen. This test was the second-ever Hellfire launch for the Iraqis. The first, less sophisticated test took place in November 2009. (Sather release)
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.