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New name for unit building Iraqi air force

BAGHDAD — The U.S. Air Force contingent charged with training and developing the Iraqi air force will become the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and will serve in the future as an organizational model for building an Afghan air force, the team’s deputy commander said Saturday.

The Air Staff approved the change last week, and Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, commander of Central Command Air Forces, is expected to approve the move in the coming days, said Col. Dan Groeschen, deputy commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team in Baghdad. The change will occur as soon as North approves it.

The team’s staff of 249 currently operates as military transition teams under Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq. The new group, which will still operate under MNSTC-I, will comprise five squadrons at locations throughout Iraq.

The group will also grow to some 380 American airmen in the coming months, Groeschen said.

The Iraqi air force currently flies three C-130s as well as smaller aircraft and helicopters. It has bases at Kirkuk, Taji, Baghdad and Basra.

There are currently 1,015 Iraqi air force officers, Groeschen said, and the first class of 100 enlisted airmen is scheduled to begin training April 16.

Groeschen said the training group hopes to train 60 fixed-wing and 60 helicopter pilots per year.