Hundreds of US troops, Iraqi airmen, and dignitaries attended the opening celebration of the new $9 million Iraqi air operations center at Hawk Base in Baghdad. “This new facility will provide the space and enable the technology needed to produce an integrated air picture across the entire country,” said Brig. Gen. Anthony Rock, Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force director. Iraqi airmen will be able to monitor and direct ISR assets from the floor of the new AOC, which is roughly four times the size of the trailers they formerly operated out of. The April 21 ribbon cutting coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Iraqi air force. (Baghdad release by TSgt. Jason Lake)
The Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter is Air Combat Command’s top priority, because without it, the Air Force can’t provide the control of the air the whole military depends on to operate, Air Combat Command chief Gen. Mark D. Kelly said. He also named a replacement for the E-3 AWACS, new…