Planners at the U.S. Central Air Forces Command have begun conducting an assessment of equipment requirements to boost the Iraqi air force’s counterinsurgency and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capability. One option under consideration could involve light attack aircraft such as the Raytheon T-6A/B Texan II turboprop single.

The Iraqis operate three Lockheed Martin C-130 transports provided by the Americans, a few donated Bell UH-1 Huey and 206 JetRanger helicopters and a modest collection of light piston aircraft including Seabird SB7L-360s, Aerocomp Comp Air 7SLs, and Sama CH2000s. Brig. Gen. Allen Peck, commander of coalition air operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, oversees the plans for renewing the Iraqi air force.