US Ambassador: 2018 Will See Transfer F-16 Aircraft Training From Arizona To Balad

BAGHDAD / NINA / The US ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones declared that Washington is determined to transfer training on F16 aircraft from the US state of Arizona to the Iraqi city Balad by the summer of 2018, and transfer of all F16 aircraft in the same year. Jones said during a news conference at the US Embassy in Baghdad that "Iraq purchased 36 aircraft from the F16 model, six of which have been delivered and are conducting combat and training missions in Iraq," noting that "Washington determined to hand over Iraq four planes in the month of July. " Jones stressed that "the flight training will move from Arizona to Balad city in Iraq by the summer of 2018. Jones pointed to the existence of another 10 training aircraft, and members of the Iraqi air force are training in America, and Iraq has lost one plane during training, "noting that" the Iraqi government, in April 2016, began receiving 18 aircraft at a rate of one every month. " Regarding the battle of Fallujah, Jones said that "the international coalition aircraft carried out 60 air strikes, targeted sites of Daash in Fallujah, adding that 25 air strikes during the last week." He added, "Nothing can confirm the existence of violations in Fallujah, stressing the need to have the popular mobilization forces under control of the army." Jones continued, "We are supportive to the security forces, the popular mobilization and the Peshmerga and we work directly with the Iraqi government and we always give advice and consultations to the Iraqi military." About the military aid, Jones explained that "the American loan, which will be submitted to the Iraqi government, will fund a military deal to buy weapons and aircraft of the (F16) and tanks (M1)", stressing that "Iraq did not receive the loan until now, and the US government is waiting the approval to hand the loan to support the military institution in Iraq". Jones added, "the interest rate imposed by the US government on this loan is very small," adding, "The United States does not support any party with arms only with the consent of the Iraqi government." He noted that his country is working with Iraq to establish a second fund for the reconstruction of liberated areas, adding, "We have provided $ 850 million for humanitarian situations in Iraq since the financial crisis last year and the amounts reached in the current year to 395 million dollars." On Mosul Dam, Jones said "we expect the Italian company begins with the maintenance of the Mosul Dam before next November, as the contract signed takes time to secure the necessary preparations. He added, "There are concerns about the Mosul Dam, and the Dam can get collapsed if there is no proper maintenance" pointing out that "Iraq has signed two contracts with the Italian company, and an America supports the contract through a technical assistance with agreement of Iraq and provide engineering delegations in this field." Jones continued, "The Italian Company has started building camps for the dam's workers and fast and good work preparations and there is no concern in this regard. / End