CAFFT Preparing Iraqi Air Force

BAGHDAD — Two military spokesmen gave an operational update on the developing Iraqi Air Force and ongoing effort to secure Baghdad in a joint media roundtable Monday in the Combined Press Information Center.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, commanding general, Coalition Air Force Transition Team (CAFTT) and Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, Multi-National Force-Iraq Communications Division chief for Strategic Effects gave an update on its efforts rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force.

“This is a nation that knows how to run an air force,” Hoog said.

Iraq had more than 900 airplanes about 17 years ago, and they are only trying to rebuild it, Hoog added.

Goals of the CAFTT are to develop an Iraqi Air Force that is ready to engage the insurgency and to double its size within the next eight to 10 months, Hoog said.

(PHOTO: Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, commanding general, Coalition Air Force Transition Team, addresses the media about efforts to rebuild the Iraqi Air Force, in a press conference at the Combined Press Information Center Monday. Combined Press Information Center photo.)

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