June 18, 2005 at 6:42 pm
From recent reporting, including the latest news about Polish chopper buys, am I right in saying that the current IrAF/IrAAC ORBAT is:
Squadron ? 2 SB7L-360 Seekers (planning up to 10) – based ?
Squadron 23 3 C-130E Hercules (from US) – based ?
Squadron 3 7 Comair 7SL planes, 4 Jet Ranger helos,
and “several other” UAE- donated aircraft -based BIAP
Squadron 2 2 UH-1H of a final total of 8 (from Jordan) – based Taji
Squadron 4 0 UH-1H of a final total of 8 (from Jordan)- based Taji
Squadrons ? 20 Sokol helos (ordered from Poland in December)
Squadrons ? 24 Mi-17 (ordered from Poland in December)
Does this cover it? US press sources have said Iraq will need 48 helicopter pilots, but this total suggests at least 64 pilots just to have a 1:1 pilot/airframe ratio. Can anyone improve on this and point out mistakes?