Iraqi Army Aviation receives 7 American Bell 505 aircraft

The Iraqi Army Aviation Command announced, on Tuesday, the receipt of 7 Bell 505 aircraft from the American side.

A statement by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense received by Shafaq News Agency stated that “this came within the contracts prepared in advance for the purpose of keeping pace with the development taking place in the field of training, and in the presence of the representative of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Commander of the Air Force, a number of senior officers of the Ministry of Defense, the American military attaché, and a representative of Bell Company.”

The Commander of the Army Aviation, Major General Pilot Mohammed Abdul Karim Awfi, confirmed, according to the statement, that “this batch will have a significant and clear impact in updating and improving the training system with modern aircraft, in addition to preparing competent pilots capable of protecting the skies of Iraq from any aggression, as well as carrying out duties with high efficiency and ability.”

The US military attaché, General Beer, pointed out that “the delivery of these aircraft is a first-of-its-kind step to enhance the capabilities and potential of the leadership and train pilots according to ambitious, modern and advanced plans in this field.”

The Ministry of Defense pointed out that “receiving this batch of aircraft represents an important step and a new qualitative addition to the basic training of the Iraqi Army Air Force.”

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a light utility helicopter produced in the United States by Bell Helicopter. Its first flight was on November 10, 2014. The price of one aircraft is $1.07 million.

Shafaq.com