Iraqi AF academy graduates 247 cadets

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarrod R. Chavana
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq (AFNS) --  More than 240 cadets graduated from the Iraqi air force officer course basic military training course Jan. 10, here.

In the two-month course, the 247 graduates at Iraqi Military Academy-Rustamiyah were educated in professionalism, teamwork, management and the leadership skills required to be an officer.

"The staff and students have a strong desire to improve their country," said Lt. Col. David Keller, the 821st Expeditionary Training Squadron chief of the Iraqi air force officers program.

"There is an intense national pride that is energizing to be around," added Colonel Keller, who is deployed from the Air Force Academy.

This class trained alongside more than 200 Iraqi army troops and is the largest Iraqi air force group to graduate from the Iraqi officer course since Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off.

"This graduation is historic for the Iraqis because it's the first time there has been more Iraqi air force cadet's graduate than army," said Capt. Brian Spliethof, the Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission personnel deputy director. "Also this will be the last air force class to graduate from Rustamiyah."

The Iraqis are re-opening the air force academy in Tikrit in mid 2010 that will host the future Iraqi air force officer course.

"The future of the Iraqi military, both airmen and soldiers, demonstrated in part today the precision and coordination associated with professional, joint fielded forces," said Brig. Gen. Scott M. Hanson, the Coalition Air Force Transition Team commanding general. The graduates' families pride was evident as they witnessed their sons who join today the ranks of those providing increasing security and stability for Iraq."

With the drawdown of U.S. troops in August of 2010, ITAMs continuing mission, in conjunction with NATO Training Mission-Iraqi, is to help the Iraqi schoolhouse build a self-sufficient, self-enduring technical training course. This will assist Iraq to build its own military, trained by its own people, without the need of U.S. forces.