May 22,2008:
The Iraqi Air Force flew its
first, ever, medical evacuation
(Medevac) mission on May 14th. While the Iraqi pilots and medics
successfully evacuated an Iraqi casualty, it was also a training mission. U.S.
instructors were on board to observe, and later advise on any areas that still
needed work. An Iraqi UH-1 helicopter was used. As more Iraqi Medevac crews
begin operating, they will eventually serve as instructors, to train thousands
of Iraqis for military and civilian Medevac missions. Iraqis have been
impressed with the American use of Medevac techniques, and everyone wants this
capability once the Americans are gone.