by Master Sgt. Kerry Jackson, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHEAST ASIA (AFNS) -- Four air expeditionary units that were the air and space components to U.S. Forces-Iraq inactivated during a flag-casing ceremony Dec. 18 here.
The 467th Air Expeditionary Group, 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq stood down following the conclusion of Operation New Dawn.
"For many of us here today we have spent most of our adult lives engaged in the battle to free first Kuwait and then Iraq," said Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, the U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander, who presided over the ceremony. "Today is a day full of emotions, a day of reflection, and a day to remember -- it's also a day to remember all those who died in Iraq for our country, for Iraq, for this region . . . for their brothers and sisters in arms."
The ceremony was held hours after the last U.S. military convoy departed Iraq and crossed into Kuwait, punctuating the end of a nearly nine-year war. It also afforded senior leaders an opportunity to reflect over the many accomplishments and sacrifices of service members.
"Because of you, and those like you, a nation is free, full of people who can go to the polls, elect the leaders of their choosing, without risk of being persecuted or struck down by a brutal regime," said Maj. Gen. Russ Handy, the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq commander. "Through your sacrifices, you have provided immense opportunity (to the Iraqi people) with the potential (for them) to do great things."
During Operation New Dawn, the U.S. Air Force helped advance the Iraqi air force through mentoring, training and advising Iraqi airmen on everything from support functions to operations while they steadily modernized and rebuilt.
At the end of 2006, the Iraqi air force had only 748 airmen and 28 aircraft. Now, the force has more than 6,000 airmen and 72 aircraft in its inventory, including the T-6 and C-130E Hercules.
In September, through the Foreign Military Sales program, the government of Iraq made its first payment for 18 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft. The FMS program is the government-to-government method for selling U.S. defense equipment, services and training.
With this F-16 package, Iraq purchased logistical support as well as pilot and maintenance training. When the aircraft are delivered, sometime in late 2014 or 2015, Iraq will have one of the most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft in the world in its inventory.
"We have enabled the Iraqis to prepare for their own future," Gen. Norman Schwartz, the Air Force Chief of Staff, said during his recent visit to Iraq. "We will certainly continue to have a relationship and will continue to work with them."
Quoting President John F. Kennedy, Handy spoke about the great responsibility those that have supported the Iraq mission have accepted.
"'In the long history of time, only a few generations have been called upon to defend freedom in its hour of maximum danger. We do not shrink from this responsibility, we welcome it -- this is our time -- the baton has been passed to us. The young men and women assembled here, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians represent the great treasure in our nation's arsenal.'"
Showing posts with label Operation New Dawn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Operation New Dawn. Show all posts
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
USS John C. Stennis Launches Navy's Final Air Mission Over Iraq
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCS CSG) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 launched the Navy's final air sortie over Iraq Dec. 18, effectively ending naval support for Operation New Dawn.
The final command and control mission for U.S. forces over Iraq was flown by an E-2C Hawkeye from the "Golden Hawks" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112.
The crew of five launched from Stennis at 7:32 a.m. and returned at 11:04 a.m.
"I think all of us went up to the flight deck focused on executing our assigned mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Reynolds, a pilot aboard the last flight. "We knew that we might be the crew to fly the last mission over Iraq. As always, we stayed focused on completing the mission we were assigned. After confirmation that we were the last, I realized I was part of something pretty special."
According to Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commander, JCS CSG, the mission came after two decades of combat missions flown in support of operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and finally, New Dawn.
"Navy air presence has been absolutely essential to Operation New Dawn, and the overall military mission in Iraq," said Faller.
Although the Navy's air support mission in Iraqi airspace has drawn to a close, Navy airpower continues supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as well as maritime security operations in the region.
Carrier strike groups will continue to maintain a forward presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with regional partners while deterring aggressors, ensuring freedom of the seas and regional security and stability.
"I believe that John C. Stennis and Nimitz class carriers are the world's pre-eminent arbitrators of peace and stability," said Capt. Ronald Reis, commanding officer of John C. Stennis.
Stennis departed from its homeport of Bremerton, Wash. July 25, and has been conducting maritime security operations in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation, and directly supported operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
In addition to Stennis and CVW 9, JCS CSG is comprised of guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and Destroyer Squadron 21 which consists of guided missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and USS Pinckney (DDG 91).
U.S. 5th Fleet encompasses 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.
The final command and control mission for U.S. forces over Iraq was flown by an E-2C Hawkeye from the "Golden Hawks" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112.
The crew of five launched from Stennis at 7:32 a.m. and returned at 11:04 a.m.
"I think all of us went up to the flight deck focused on executing our assigned mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Reynolds, a pilot aboard the last flight. "We knew that we might be the crew to fly the last mission over Iraq. As always, we stayed focused on completing the mission we were assigned. After confirmation that we were the last, I realized I was part of something pretty special."
According to Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commander, JCS CSG, the mission came after two decades of combat missions flown in support of operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and finally, New Dawn.
"Navy air presence has been absolutely essential to Operation New Dawn, and the overall military mission in Iraq," said Faller.
Although the Navy's air support mission in Iraqi airspace has drawn to a close, Navy airpower continues supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as well as maritime security operations in the region.
Carrier strike groups will continue to maintain a forward presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with regional partners while deterring aggressors, ensuring freedom of the seas and regional security and stability.
"I believe that John C. Stennis and Nimitz class carriers are the world's pre-eminent arbitrators of peace and stability," said Capt. Ronald Reis, commanding officer of John C. Stennis.
Stennis departed from its homeport of Bremerton, Wash. July 25, and has been conducting maritime security operations in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation, and directly supported operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
In addition to Stennis and CVW 9, JCS CSG is comprised of guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and Destroyer Squadron 21 which consists of guided missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and USS Pinckney (DDG 91).
U.S. 5th Fleet encompasses 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
'New Dawn' Soldiers Arrive in Iraq
WASHINGTON - As the first U.S. soldiers to deploy exclusively for Operation New Dawn have arrived in southern Iraq, officials are investigating a shooting incident that left two American soldiers dead and nine others wounded in Iraq's Salahuddin province yesterday.
The lead elements of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas, have arrived in Iraq and are preparing for their new mission. The regiment previously deployed three times during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Known as the "Brave Rifles," the combat-capable, brigade-sized unit will continue the mission of advising and assisting Iraqi security forces in five southern provinces. The unit replaces the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade, one of the first heavy brigade combat teams configured for an advise-and-assist role. The 3rd Brigade deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., a year ago under Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Brave Rifles will operate under the 1st Infantry Division headquarters as part of U.S. Division South. The unit will advise and assist Iraqi army, federal police and border guard units, as well as State Department-led teams.
Operation New Dawn represents a change in the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq from combat missions conducted by U.S. forces to stability operations conducted by Iraqi security forces with U.S. advice and assistance.
Meanwhile, U.S. Forces Iraq officials have begun an investigation into the Salahuddin shooting, in which an Iraqi soldier also was killed.
A preliminary review of reports from the scene indicates the attack was deliberate, officials said, adding that the detailed investigation will clarify the facts and actions of all involved.
Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, a U.S. Forces Iraq spokesman, expressed condolences to the families of the soldiers killed or wounded.
"Though this incident is tragic and our first concern is for our comrades and their families," he added, "it doesn't affect our strong commitment to the mission of advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces as they continue to sacrifice each day for security and stability in their nation. We stand firmly beside them."
The lead elements of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas, have arrived in Iraq and are preparing for their new mission. The regiment previously deployed three times during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Known as the "Brave Rifles," the combat-capable, brigade-sized unit will continue the mission of advising and assisting Iraqi security forces in five southern provinces. The unit replaces the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade, one of the first heavy brigade combat teams configured for an advise-and-assist role. The 3rd Brigade deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., a year ago under Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Brave Rifles will operate under the 1st Infantry Division headquarters as part of U.S. Division South. The unit will advise and assist Iraqi army, federal police and border guard units, as well as State Department-led teams.
Operation New Dawn represents a change in the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq from combat missions conducted by U.S. forces to stability operations conducted by Iraqi security forces with U.S. advice and assistance.
Meanwhile, U.S. Forces Iraq officials have begun an investigation into the Salahuddin shooting, in which an Iraqi soldier also was killed.
A preliminary review of reports from the scene indicates the attack was deliberate, officials said, adding that the detailed investigation will clarify the facts and actions of all involved.
Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, a U.S. Forces Iraq spokesman, expressed condolences to the families of the soldiers killed or wounded.
"Though this incident is tragic and our first concern is for our comrades and their families," he added, "it doesn't affect our strong commitment to the mission of advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces as they continue to sacrifice each day for security and stability in their nation. We stand firmly beside them."
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