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Even though you can't see him...

By The Armorer on October 15, 2009 | | Comments (4)

And he isn't in the caption... our very own rotorhead Bill is in this picture.

No, he's not on board - but the product of his labor sits in the front seats.

Air Force instructors assigned to the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron fly on a training mission here with their Iraqi students, Oct. 8, as the Iraqi pilots perform aerial formation flying procedures. The U.S. Airmen train them on approaches, take-offs, landings and remote operations consisting of landing in unfamiliar landing zones. Air Force instructor pilots assigned to the 721st AEAS train, advise and assist Iraqi helicopter pilots around the clock, helping the Iraqis develop their air force. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Johnny Saldivar

Air Force instructors assigned to the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron fly on a training mission here with their Iraqi students, Oct. 8, as the Iraqi pilots perform aerial formation flying procedures. The U.S. Airmen train them on approaches, take-offs, landings and remote operations consisting of landing in unfamiliar landing zones. Air Force instructor pilots assigned to the 721st AEAS train, advise and assist Iraqi helicopter pilots around the clock, helping the Iraqis develop their air force. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Johnny Saldivar

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4 Comments

By Grumpy on October 15, 2009 12:38 PM
Bill, we may kid and joke with each other, but not this time. I just want to *THANK YOU*, for what you were able to do, while being there. No, it was not easy, but you helped the Nation of Iraq to take just one more step on a *LONG* path.
 
By John (not the Armorer) on October 15, 2009 1:07 PM
Good thing Bill is there to provide adult supervision and share some experience with the USAF clowns who want to grab all the glory with their PAO flacks.

Thanks, Bill T.!
 
By Grimmy on October 15, 2009 3:37 PM
Very cool. Well done, sir.
 
By BillT on October 16, 2009 2:59 AM
The Iraqis flying the Huey II are all previously-rated helicopter pilots. We transition them from their previous aircraft (Gazelle, MD-500, Puma, Mi-8) here and they take their checkrides with the Air Force in Taji. Twelve down, about a hundred to go -- ninety-seven actually, since three of the lads are halfway through class now.

...share some experience with the USAF clowns who want to grab all the glory with their PAO flacks.

*grin*

When the Iraqis come up here for their transition, they only ask one question: "Where is the office of Mr. Joe-Jack and Mr. Shane and Mr. Bill?" That's glory enough...

...that, and getting the backpats from you guys.