The first two Iraqi Air Force F-16D fighter jets has arrived at the Tucson International Airport, Arizona on Dec. 16, allowing Iraqi pilots ...
The Iraq has ordered 36 Block 52 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons worth US$4.2 billion in 2010, however the current security situation in Iraq made delivering the aircraft impractical. The decision was made to instead deliver a portion of the jets to Tucson and continue the IAF pilots' training there. The Arizona ANG's 162nd Wing was chosen to provide the training due to its already established experience with foreign students.
Six more F-16s are scheduled to be delivered over the next five months.
The training at Tucson is crucial for Iraqi Air Force, US Air Force's newest allies, as it will allow IAF to join the coalition in the fight against ISIS.
The wing, based at Tucson, is home to pilots in training from many nations, including the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Japan, and most recently Iraq.
