BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 14, 2004 — The Iraqi air force purchased its first two aircraft in Jordan, June 10, as part of an infrastructure security plan to provide surveillance capability to the growing Iraqi armed forces and civil security forces being trained and equipped in the country, according to Office of Security Transition officials.

The two Australian manufactured SB7L-360 Seeker Reconnaissance aircraft represent the initial acquisition of a tentative force of 16 identical aerial observation and surveillance aircraft specifically intended to assist in the protection of electric and oil assets and border and coastal security.

Delivery is scheduled for mid-July in Basrah.

“This purchase represents a significant leap forward in the Iraqi’s ability to surgically find and respond to sabotage on infrastructure,” said Office of Security Transition, Air Reconnaissance Plans Officer, Marine Corps Capt. Jeremy DeMott.

“These aircraft represent the rebirth of an air force that will fly in cooperation with Coalition forces for the first time in almost two decades,” he added.

Iraqi air force pilots will negotiate some basic training on the aircraft with special attention directed to sensors and reporting skills and on deployment will communicate suspicious activity to the responsible Iraqi and Coalition forces on the ground. Seeker aircraft are fitted with high-resolution surveillance systems providing live observation feedback as well as digital video recording hardware and other reconnaissance technology.

The Iraqi Air Force currently stands at nearly 150 personnel with most still in training. Plans are to grow the force to 500 by December 2004.

The Jordanian government has tendered a gift of 16 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft to augment the force, pending acceptance by the Office of Security Transition.