Iraq's Post-Hussein Air Force Finds Its Wings Clipped

[Rose Siding]

snip>
U.S. military officials say that addressing the question of when they will allow the Iraqi air force to acquire combat capabilities is years away. The U.S. Air Force, they say, will retain control of Iraqi airspace for the foreseeable future, regardless of any drawdown of ground troops......

"I think they're afraid of terrorists taking over the air force and attacking American bases," said an Iraqi airman who spoke on condition of anonymity.
...
Although U.S. officials describe a harmonious collaboration between the Iraqi airmen and their American advisors, Iraqi officials portray it as fraught with suspicion.

One Iraqi air force official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Iraqis were routinely kept in the dark about missions, and sometimes found their requests for flight missions inexplicably denied.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-airforce18jun18,1,753415.story?coll=la-headlines-world

[alfredo]

1. So even if our troops withdraw, we will be patroling the skies. Just

like before bush invaded. Instead of containing one mad man, we will be containing a civil war.

[leftchick]

2. incredible

:argh:

[saigon68]

11. They can then bomb the guys who are Islamics

"BACK TO THE STONE AGE"

[sabra]

3. kick

:kick:

[cantstandbush]

4. Stupid is as stupis does. If terrorists go after US air bases it will be

from the ground.

[daleo]

5. Control of the air is basic neo-con strategy

The Iraq Air Force is like will be like Bush's IQ - destined to never make it past double figures.

[Charlie Brown]

6. I thought Iraq was a sovereign nation

I guess not.

[Vidar]

9. Jebusland is the only sovereign nation.

[w4rma]

7. Their airforce consisted of a model plane when they invaded.

Therefore, this article is bullcrap.

[Disturbed]

8. Iraq is now a Sovereign Nation.

LOL

[Roland99]

10. So, the sovereign state of Iraq is in control of just what exactly?