B*N*S*N1

Iraqi Air Force officers graduate at RAF Cranwell

A Training and Adventure news article

26 Oct 09

Iraqi Air Force (IAF) officers Lieutenants Barzan Barzani and Arzhang Zebari received their IAF pilot 'wings' when they graduated from RAF Cranwell on Friday 23 October 2009.

Lieutenants Barzan Barzani (right) and Arzhang Zebari outside College Hall, RAF Cranwell
[Picture: Matt Reid, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

They were presented with their 'wings' by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.

Their new qualification will pave the way for them to return to their homeland where the IAF will complete their training on a multi-engine conversion unit. They will then take to the air flying military transport aircraft such as the King Air 350 and the C-130 Hercules.

During the graduation ceremony Lt Zebari, who is the son of General Babaker Shawkat Zebari, Chief of Staff Iraqi Joint Forces, was presented with the Glen Trophy, awarded to the student pilot who gains the highest overall marks for flying.

He also received the Dacosta Trophy for best overall improvement during the course....

Tangible proof of 'our guys' training and helping the Iraqis take control of their own country. That IS what this is all about, isn't it? Read the rest of this B*N*S*N story here.