BAGHDAD (Agencies): The Iraqi military has significantly increased the number of hours its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft are flying, according to the latest quarterly report from the US Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Released on 2 May and drawing on information supplied by the US-led coalition, the report said Iraqi fixed-wing ISR aircraft flew 85 hours in January, 139 hours in February, and 253 hours in March.
While the Iraqi Air Force now uses its King Air 350 surveillance aircraft mainly in the light transport role, it increased their ISR hours from nine in January to 32 in February. The Iraqi Air Force’s only other manned fixed-wing ISR aircraft are its modified Cessna C-208 Caravans, which were credited with 59 hours in the quarter.
